In a major scandal shaking up the Indian bureaucracy, IAS officer Puja Khedkar has been discharged from service by the UPSC for cheating and taking advantage of OBC and disability quota benefits. This comes after a month of her selection being cancelled and her being barred from future exams. The controversy has brought to light loopholes in the selection process and has resulted in the scrutiny of over 15,000 candidates.
IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Discharged for Cheating and Disability Quota Abuse
In a significant development that has sent shockwaves through the Indian bureaucracy, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has discharged IAS officer Puja Khedkar from service for cheating and taking advantage of OBC and disability quota benefits. This extraordinary action comes after a month of her selection being canceled and her being barred from future exams.
Background
Puja Khedkar, a resident of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, was selected for the IAS in 2019. However, soon after her selection, allegations surfaced that she had misrepresented her caste and disability status to secure admission to the IAS through the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota, respectively.
Investigation and Findings
The allegations against Khedkar prompted the UPSC to initiate an investigation. The probe revealed that Khedkar had produced a false OBC certificate to claim OBC status, which provided her with a relaxation in the cutoff marks for the IAS exam. Additionally, she had submitted a medical certificate declaring a disability of 40%, which entitled her to additional benefits during the exam. However, the investigation found that Khedkar did not have this level of disability.
Consequences
Based on the findings of the investigation, the UPSC canceled Khedkar's selection for the IAS in September 2023. Subsequently, it barred her from appearing in any future UPSC exams. The latest development, her discharge from service, is the culmination of the UPSC's disciplinary proceedings against her.
Impact
The scandal involving Puja Khedkar has exposed significant loopholes in the selection process for the IAS. It has raised questions about the authenticity of caste and disability certificates submitted by candidates and has prompted the UPSC to implement stricter verification mechanisms. The controversy has also led to the scrutiny of over 15,000 candidates who have been selected for government jobs through various quotas.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the specific charge against Puja Khedkar? Answer: Cheating and taking advantage of OBC and disability quota benefits.
2. What were the specific misrepresentations made by Khedkar? Answer: She produced a false OBC certificate and a medical certificate declaring a disability of 40%.
3. What actions has the UPSC taken against Khedkar? Answer: Canceled her selection for the IAS, barred her from future exams, and discharged her from service.
4. What are the broader implications of this scandal? Answer: It has exposed loopholes in the UPSC selection process and raised questions about the authenticity of caste and disability certificates.
5. What measures is the UPSC taking to prevent such incidents in the future? Answer: Implementing stricter verification mechanisms for caste and disability certificates.
Former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Sunday to criticize Fox News for cutting him off during a 10-minute discussion about Kamala Harris' DNC speech. Trump claimed that it was the network who called him, not the other way around, and that they interrupted him to air Greg Gutfeld's late-night show instead. This outburst comes as Harris leads Trump in polls and after reports of Trump spending most of August golfing instead of focusing on his campaign.
Indian wrestler and Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat is making her first visit to the village of Khera Bakhta in Julana since receiving her election ticket. This important visit will help strengthen her ties with local residents and garner support for her political campaign. Stay updated with ABP News for the latest developments in this political race.
In the wake of fresh violence in Manipur's Jiribam district, the state's Chief Minister led a meeting of ruling party MLAs to discuss ways to tackle the ongoing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups. The security agencies have recovered large caches of weapons, which include sniper rifles and rocket bombs, indicating the intensification of the conflict. Despite previous efforts to restore normalcy, violence continues to erupt in ethnically-diverse Jiribam, displacing thousands and resulting in casualties. The government is now pressuring the Centre to take appropriate action to bring the militants under control.
The ongoing conflict between Kuki militants and security agencies in Manipur has taken a dangerous turn as the Kukis have sought foreign help in their demand for a separate state. According to sources, the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council has approached the UN, UK and Israel with their demands, citing their right to self governance under the Indian Constitution and various international agreements. The Kukis claim to be lost Jew tribes who were brought to India for tourism but later held captive by the country.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of Odisha will be visiting Sambalpur to launch the CM Kisan Yojana on September 8, coinciding with the Nuakhai festival. This new scheme will replace the existing KALIA scheme and aims to provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers, who will receive Rs 4000 annually in two phases. Chief Minister Majhi will also attend 'Nuakhai Bhetghat' programmes and offer prayers at Maa Samaleswari temple during his visit. Stay updated by subscribing to the Odisha Breaking News channel.
Kamala Harris has brought new excitement to the U.S. presidential race, particularly among Democrats of Asian descent and people of color. The party's convention in Chicago, originally intended to support Joe Biden's re-election, has become a platform for showcasing Harris' strengths and diversity within the Democratic party. This is in stark contrast to Trump's Republican party, which lacks ethnic diversity and has officially nominated him as their candidate for the third consecutive time.
The Manipur government has declared an indefinite curfew in Jiribam district after five people were killed in ethnic violence. The order, made under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, prohibits gatherings and restricts movement, with exceptions for essential services and emergency situations. The superintendent of police will be overseeing the enforcement of the curfew, which will remain in effect until further notice. The regional news portal Northeast Now provides ongoing coverage of the potentially volatile situation.
After the head of a Hindu monastic order suggested changing the name of the ritual bath at the Kumbh Mela, Urdu speakers have denounced the statement, asserting that Urdu is also an indigenous Indian language. The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, an organization of Hindu monastic orders, is planning to discuss the issue and make a decision. Meanwhile, members of the Urdu Markaz Mumbai group have condemned the call to drop the old term, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of Urdu to India. The Kumbh Mela, a mass gathering held every 12 years, is a highly revered Hindu event and the next one is scheduled for 2025.
The Congress party has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, with Vinesh Phogat being nominated as the candidate for the Julana constituency. The JJP has decided to field Amarjit Dhanda, the current MLA, again as their candidate. However, Congress is hopeful that Phogat's popularity and recent retirement from wrestling will garner sympathy votes and help them win the seat.