A probationary IAS officer in Maharashtra was moved to Washim due to accusations of misusing her authority. Puja Khedkar, who ranked 821st in the UPSC exams, was working as an assistant collector in Pune. A controversy arose when it was discovered that she was using privileges not typically granted to probationary officers, such as a red-blue beacon and a board on her private Audi car stating “Maharashtra Government”.
She was also discovered using the ante-chamber of additional collector Ajay More when he was not present. Without his permission, she took office furniture and requested the revenue assistant to give her a letterhead, nameplate, and other items in their name.
Pune Collector Suhas Divase shot a letter to the state’s Chief Secretary after the violations came to the fore, leading to her transfer from Pune to Washim.
“The 2023 batch IAS officer will serve the remaining period of her probation as super numerary assistant collector in Washim district,” the order stated.
Reports suggest Khedkar’s father, a retired administrative officer, also pressured the District Collector’s office to ensure her demands were fulfilled.