## "Issued 7% Disability Certificate to IAS Officer Puja Khedkar": Pune Hospital
Published : WORLD FAST 24/7 NEWS Jul 16, 2024 04:40 PM IST
By M.k.karikalsozhan Blog Reporter
In a controversial case, the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital in Pune has revealed that it issued a 7% locomotor disability certificate to trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar in August 2022. This comes amidst allegations that Khedkar has been misusing disability and reservation quotas to secure her position.
According to Dr. Rajendra Wable, the dean of YCM Hospital, Khedkar applied for disability certification regarding her left knee joint in August 2022. After assessment by multiple departments, the hospital found that she has a 7% locomotor disability.
However, the benchmark for availing disability benefits is 40% or more. "In effect, this does not mean any major physical disability," Dr. Wable clarified. The certificate stated that Khedkar's diagnosis was an old ACL tear with left knee instability, resulting in a 7% permanent disability in her left lower limb.
## IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Used OBC Quota for MBBS, Had No Disability: College Director
In another development, the director of the medical college where Khedkar pursued her MBBS has revealed that she did not have any disability during her time there.
"Puja Khedkar had taken admission in MBBS under the OBC quota. She did not have any disability during her MBBS course," said the director, who wished to remain anonymous. This contradicts Khedkar's claims of having a disability.
The director's statement raises questions about how Khedkar managed to secure an IAS position under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category, in addition to the OBC quota.
## Ahmednagar Civil Surgeon Submits Report: Puja Khedkar Has 51% Disability
Further complicating the matter, the Ahmednagar district civil surgeon, Dr. Sanjay Ghogare, has submitted a report to the district collector detailing the disability certificates previously issued to Khedkar.
According to the report, Khedkar was diagnosed with a 40% vision impairment in 2018. In 2021, she was granted a certificate for depression and low vision, with the auto-generated disability assessed at 51%.
This contradicts the 7% locomotor disability certificate issued by the YCM Hospital in Pune. The discrepancy in Khedkar's disability assessments from different hospitals raises concerns about the legitimacy of her claims.
Navi Mumbai Civic Body to Hire Consultant for Expedited Veterinary Hospital Development
Navi Mumbai, India - July 13, 2024:Long delayed veterinary hospital in sector 24 of Juinagar, Navi Mumbai to finally see light of day at Juinagar in Navi Mumbai, India, on Saturday, July 13, 2024
The long-awaited civic-run veterinary hospital in Navi Mumbai, delayed for over three years, is finally on the verge of completion. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has begun the process of appointing a consultant for technical advice to expedite the opening of the facility.
Located in sector 24 of Juinagar, the hospital aims to enhance the city's animal care infrastructure. It will cater to all domestic and farm animals, providing affordable medical services, including an intensive care unit, recovery rooms, and comprehensive treatment options.
Kailas Shinde, the municipal commissioner of NMMC, stated, “The health department has initiated the process of appointing an expert from a government veterinary college as a consultant for the hospital. Once the consultant is appointed, internal changes in the building as per the needs of the animals, along with other measures suggested, will be undertaken.” He added that this process will be completed before the assembly elections' code of conduct comes into effect in October.
The two-storey hospital, built on a 400 sq m plot in Juinagar at an estimated cost of ₹4 crore, will operate on a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving animal healthcare in Navi Mumbai.
## Centre Forms Panel to Probe Puja Khedkar's Documents
The Centre has now formed a one-member panel to investigate the documents related to Khedkar's candidature, following a series of allegations about her allegedly forging caste and disability quota claims to secure the UPSC seat.
Khedkar, who is part of the 2023 UPSC batch, was previously posted as a trainee in Pune. However, she found herself in the middle of a controversy related to the unauthorized use of power, including the use of a red-blue beacon and a board of the Maharashtra government on her private Audi car.
She is also accused of using the office of the Additional Collector Ajay More without consent and removing the office furniture on her own will. Additionally, Khedkar is accused of trying to save a relative by putting pressure on the authorities.
As a result of these allegations, Khedkar has been transferred to Washim and now faces an inquiry.
.## Puja Khedkar's Father Defends Daughter's Caste Certificate
Khedkar's father, Dilip Khedkar, who is a former bureaucrat, has come to the defense of his daughter's caste certificate. He claims that Puja Khedkar indeed belongs to the OBC-non creamy layer category, with an annual family income of less than Rs 8 lakh.
Dilip Khedkar, who is now active in Maharashtra politics and had declared over Rs 40 crore assets in his Lok Sabha election candidate's affidavit from Ahmednagar, which he failed to win, suggests that the classification as creamy-layer depends on income rather than property valuation.
Regarding the allegations that Puja faked her disability, Dilip Khedkar suggested that many disabilities are not visible but can be identified via tests. He claimed that Puja missed some check-ups due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Puja Khedkar reportedly skipped multiple tests mandated by the UPSC at AIIMS Delhi to verify her disability-related claims, and later submitted an external report, which was initially rejected by the Commission.
Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer, obtained multiple disability certificates from the Ahmednagar District Hospital in Maharashtra:
### Disability Certificates from Ahmednagar District Hospital
- **2018:** Khedkar was issued a disability certificate indicating a 40% permanent disability due to myopic degeneration in both eyes .
- **2021:** Khedkar received a separate disability certificate indicating a 20% disability due to depression .
- **2021 (Combined):** A combined disability certificate was issued, showing a total disability of 51% .
The authenticity of these disability certificates issued by the Ahmednagar District Hospital was verified and confirmed to be valid . According to the guidelines, Khedkar held a 40% disability related to low vision and a temporary 3-year disability for depression .
IAS officer Puja Khedkar used OBC quota for MBBS, had no disability: College director
Sources
In a developing controversy, IAS officer Puja Khedkar is under scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting her eligibility under the OBC quota during her admission to the Kashibai Navale Medical College in Pune in 2007. According to the college director, Khedkar did not indicate any disability in her medical fitness certificate when she enrolled for her MBBS course.
Khedkar, who took admission under the OBC Nomadic Tribe-3 category reserved for the Vanjari community, is now facing allegations of fraud. Her father, Dilip Khedkar, an IAS officer in the Maharashtra government at the time, facilitated her admission under the OBC non-creamy layer category for the 2011-2012 MBBS batch. The college director confirmed that Khedkar provided a certificate affirming her NT (Nomadic Tribes) status, belonging to the Vanjari community, along with a caste certificate and a non-creamy layer certificate. Crucially, her medical fitness certificate did not mention any physical or mental disabilities.
Despite these documents, Khedkar is now accused of using fraudulent means to clear the civil services exam, particularly by allegedly misrepresenting her status under both the physical disabilities and OBC categories. In response to these allegations, the central government has established a single-member committee to re-examine all the documents she presented to secure her position in the civil services examination.
Accused on the run, their phones switched off’: Police after IAS officer Puja Khedkar's parents booked
The Pune Rural Police have booked Dilip and Manorama Khedkar, parents of trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar, for allegedly threatening a farmer. The accused have reportedly gone into hiding, making themselves unreachable by switching off their phones. Police teams are actively searching for the Khedkars in Pune and nearby areas, including their farmhouses and residences, but have yet to locate them.
The case was registered against the Khedkars and five others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. This action follows the emergence of a video showing Manorama Khedkar, the trainee IAS officer's mother, brandishing a pistol and allegedly threatening farmers over a land dispute in June 2023.
In response to the allegations, the Khedkar family has claimed that the gun was used in self-defense and that they have valid permissions for its possession. Despite this, the Pune Police have issued a show-cause notice to Manorama Khedkar regarding the misuse of her gun licence.
Pune Police seize Audi car of controversial IAS trainee officer Puja Khedka
Pune Police seize Audi car of controversial IAS trainee officer Puja Khedka
This vehicle, registered under a private engineering company, had amassed 21 unpaid traffic challans, with fines amounting to Rs 26,000. Following a notice issued by the Pune traffic police, Khedkar's family driver handed over the car keys, although the ownership documents for the vehicle have yet to be submitted.
Puja Khedkar, who is a part of the Maharashtra cadre, has been under scrutiny for allegedly misusing her OBC and disability certificates to pass the civil services exam. Additionally, there have been claims that she demanded special privileges, such as a separate office and an official vehicle, which are not typically granted to probationary IAS officers. In response to these allegations, the central government has established a committee to investigate the claims against Khedkar. Should she be found guilty, she could face termination from her position.
## Conclusion
The case of trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar has raised serious questions about the legitimacy of her disability and reservation claims. The conflicting disability certificates issued by different hospitals, her alleged misuse of power, and the involvement of her family members in the controversy have all contributed to the ongoing investigation.
As the Centre's one-member panel probes Khedkar's documents, the outcome of this case will have significant implications for the integrity of the civil services selection process and the fair allocation of reservation benefits.
';
(function() {
var dsq = document.createElement('script'); dsq.type = 'text/javascript'; dsq.async = true;
dsq.src = '//' + disqus_shortname + '.disqus.com/embed.js';
(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(dsq);
})();
