Pune: Dr Suhas Diwase writes to Additional Chief Secretary about probationary IAS officer’s shenanigans
Pune: District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase has submitted a 25-page report about a probationary IAS officer to the Additional Chief Secretary.
A probationary IAS officer gets less perks and privileges during their training period. They are supposed to follow their senior’s orders. Sometimes, officers from the IAS and the State Civil Services clash. Dr Diwase’s report is a similar incident.
A probationary IAS officer has to work in various departments for two years. Thereafter, they are actually appointed. Dr Puja Dilip Khedkar was appointed as a probationary IAS officer at the Pune District Collectorate on June 3, 2024. However, District Collector Diwase has now written a letter-cum-report against her to the Additional Chief Secretary.
Diwase has written that Khedkar grabbed the antechamber of a senior officer. She installed the amber light on a private vehicle as well as written Maharashtra Government on it. Diwase has recommended her transfer to another district. He has also raised questions about her father and has attached photos of chats with the letter.
What does the report say?
The report states that Smt Puja Khedkar joined as a probationary officer on June 3, 2024. However, even before she joined, she messaged the Residential Deputy Collector and the District Collector on WhatsApp about her seating arrangement, car, residence and peon. She frequently demanded the same. Diwase has mentioned that these facilities are not sanctioned to a probationary IAS officer. He had assured her that her residence would definitely be taken care of.
Use women officer’s antechamber
Diwase says “Khedkar was asked to accompany the District Collector, Residential Deputy Collector and other officials and know about their work. She was asked to use the antechamber of the Resident Deputy Collector. A seating arrangement was made for her on the fourth floor in the A wing of the District Collectorate. However, she refused to use the independent section as it did not have an attached bathroom.”
Arguments with officials, father accompanies her to search for office
The report states, “After refusing to use the office, she searched, along with her former gazetted officer Dilip Khedkar, the VIP auditorium in the B wing, which she rejected saying its electrical fitting was not proper. Her father also argued with other officials. Dilip Khedkar told them that they would not be promoted to the Additional District Collector’s post till they complete their service.”
Grabbing of the antechamber of Additional District Collector
Diwase says, “After she rejected the second office, the Additional District Collector asked her to use his antechamber. However, when the officer was visiting the State Secretariat for two-days last month, Khedkar moved his belongings from his office without informing him and took possession of it. She also got her nameplate made.”
‘I won’t tolerate insult’
The report further states, “Smt Khedkar has finished her probation period on June 14, 2024. She was supposed to be trained in other government offices from June 15 to 17. However, she sent a WhatsApp message to me: ‘All other officers who joined along with me have been given a chamber and a car. Some new IAS officers have been given the chamber of the Resident Deputy Collector. Therefore, if I am removed from the Additional District Collector’s office, it will be an insult, which I will not tolerate.”
‘I am being harassed as I am a woman officer’
Diwase has mentioned in the report that Dilip Khedkar called up the Tehsildar (General) on his mobile phone and told him: “You all are harassing my daughter because she is a woman officer. You will pay for this”.
Amber lamp and individual car
The report states, “Khedkar is using a personal car, on which the amber lamp has been installed. I tried to counsel her. I made her understand government rules. However, her conduct does not suit an administrative officer, which can be proved by her messages and behaviour. Her insistence on facilities provided to the probationary officer is misplaced. After examining the above-mentioned facts and to avoid administrative complications, it would not be proper to continue her training in Pune district. Therefore, she should be appointed in another district for training.”
Profile of Dr Puja Khedkar
Dr Puja Khedkar is a 2023 batch IAS officer. She was appointed as a trainee in Pune district in June this year. But she started raising her demands with the officers right from the day of her appointment. She is the daughter of former gazetted officer Dilip Khedkar, a resident of Pathardi, district Ahmednagar. Her maternal grandfather Jagannathrao Budhwant was an IAS officer. Her father was the Commissioner of the Pollution Department. He fought the last Lok Sabha election on the VBA ticket from South Ahmednagar. Her mother Dr Manorama Khedkar is the elected Sarpanch of Bhalgaon.
