Puja khedkar
Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer in Maharashtra, has become embroiled in controversy due to allegations of misusing her authority. She was transferred from Pune to Washim after it was revealed that she was using a private Audi car equipped with a siren and VIP number plate, privileges typically reserved for senior officials.
Puja Khedkar is a 2023-batch IAS officer who secured an All-India Rank (AIR) of 841 in the UPSC exam. She comes from a family with a history of public service, her father being a retired administrative officer. Despite her promising background, her actions have thrust her into negative attention.
The controversy centers around Khedkar using her private luxury Audi car adorned with a “Government of Maharashtra” sticker and red-blue beacon in Pune. Even before assuming her role as assistant collector, she reportedly demanded official perks such as a car with a VIP number plate, accommodation, an official chamber with staff, and a constable — entitlements not typically granted to trainee officers.
Allegedly, her father, leveraging his former administrative position, exerted influence to fulfill her demands, including at her workplace where she reportedly displaced a senior officer’s nameplate to use the space herself.
These actions were perceived as abuse of power, leading to her transfer to Washim. According to reports, she will serve as a supernumerary assistant collector there until July 30, 2025, as per an order from the Pune District Collector to the Chief Secretary.
Moreover, Khedkar claimed to belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which mandates an income cap of ₹8 lakh per annum for the non-creamy layer certificate. However, her father’s election affidavit reportedly disclosed assets worth ₹40 crore and an annual income of ₹43 lakh, prompting scrutiny into her OBC eligibility.
Additionally, she asserted having multiple disabilities, including a learning disability, and sought special accommodations during her UPSC examination. However, specifics regarding the nature and severity of these disabilities were not disclosed.
