Pooja Khedkar is an on-probation IAS officer in Maharashtra who was transferred from Pune to Washim over alleged misuse of power. She reportedly demanded a car, a separate office, and a house. She made all these demands before she assumed her position as Assistant Collector in Pune. Meanwhile, another controversy surfaced after it was revealed that to secure a position in the IAS, Pooja allegedly misused benefits under the physical disabilities category and other backward classes (OBC) quota.
Pooja Claimed To Be Virtually, Mentally Impaired
The 32-year-old woman is an IAS officer from the batch 2023 of the Maharashtra cadre. She had secured an all-India rank of 841 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination before being posted in Pune as an Assistant Collector. Reportedly, Pooja Khedkar claimed to be virtually and mentally impaired in the affidavit submitted during the selection process concessions in the UPSC. Pooja also refused to undergo a mandatory medical test as part of the selection process to confirm her disabilities. She kept refusing upon being asked for six times. This puts a large question mark on the recruiters of the UPSC exam as it is unclear how she passed the test.
All Medical Tests Skipped
According to sources, Pooja’s first medical test was scheduled to be at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences in April 2022. She was able to skip the test by claiming that she had been tested positive for COVID-19. The following tests were in July, August, and September. She half-attended the one test in September and still managed to not appear for the MRI test for the assessment of her vision. The commission then eventually challenged Khedkar’s selection in February 2023 and she somehow managed to have her civil service appointment confirmed. In another allegation, Pooja was also able to pass the uber-competitive Civil Services Exam despite having a comparatively low all-India rank of 841, as she had falsely claimed the Other Backward Classes (OBC) status.
Khedkar Transferred From Pune To Washim
Pooja was later transferred from Pune to Washim after her exploitative demands before she even assumed her post. She demanded the use of a siren on her private car, a luxury Audi, followed by a sticker reading ‘Government of Maharashtra’ and VIP number plates. Pune Collector Suhas Divase then wrote to the Chief Secretary of the Maharashtra Government to request the re-assessment of Pooja Khedkar. It was also revealed that she was using Additional Collector Ajay More’s office during his absence. There, she removed his nameplate and furniture while also demanding letterheads. These are some demands that a junior officer on probation is not allowed to make.