Title: Controversy Surrounding IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s Disability and OBC Quotas
In recent months, the case of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar has captured significant media attention, raising important questions about the integrity of India’s civil service selection process. The controversy stems from allegations that Khedkar manipulated disability and Other Backward Classes (OBC) quotas to secure her position.
Background
Puja Khedkar, a 32-year-old officer from the 2023 batch, has been under scrutiny for allegedly obtaining her position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through fraudulent means. Her case involves multiple disability certificates and claims under the OBC non-creamy layer category.
Disability Certificates: A Timeline
- April 2021: Khedkar received two certificates from Ahmednagar District Hospital, attesting to a combined disability of 51% due to mental illness and visual impairment. These certificates were crucial for her eligibility under the disability quota.
- August 2022: A subsequent certificate from Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) in Pune stated that Khedkar had a 7% locomotor disability in her left knee. This certificate, significantly below the 40% threshold required for disability benefits, has raised further questions.
Allegations and Investigations
The legitimacy of Khedkar’s disability claims came under suspicion when it was revealed that she might have used fraudulent certificates to avail benefits meant for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD). This suspicion was compounded by her alleged high-handedness and demands for special privileges during her tenure in Pune.
The Role of the UPSC and AIIMS
In response to these allegations, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has initiated a thorough investigation. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has been designated as the nodal agency to re-examine her disability claims. Despite multiple calls from the hospital, Khedkar reportedly did not appear for the medical tests.
OBC Quota Controversy
Khedkar’s use of the OBC quota for her medical education is also under scrutiny. Reports suggest she secured admission to Pune’s Kashibai Navale Medical College under the OBC Nomadic Tribe-3 category, reserved for the Vanjari community, using a non-creamy layer certificate. The director of the college, Arvind Bhore, confirmed that Khedkar’s admission was through the Common Entrance Test (CET), and no disability was mentioned in her medical fitness certificate at the time.
Parental Influence
Further complicating the matter, it has been reported that Khedkar’s father was a serving bureaucrat in Maharashtra when she obtained her admission under the OBC non-creamy layer category. This has led to accusations of undue influence and manipulation of the system.
Official Responses and Probes
Dr. Rajendra Wable, dean of YCMH, and Dr. Sanjay Ghogare, civil surgeon at Ahmednagar District Hospital, have provided statements regarding the issuance of Khedkar’s disability certificates. Both hospitals are now part of the ongoing investigations led by various government bodies, including a central government-appointed committee chaired by IAS officer Manoj Dwivedi.
Khedkar’s Defense
Amid these allegations, Khedkar maintains her innocence. She has expressed confidence that the truth will prevail after her testimony before the central committee. “I will present my side to the committee,” she stated, indicating her willingness to cooperate with the investigation.