Amid Puja Khedkar Controversy, A Look At The Rules Governing Civil Servants

The training of probationary IAS Officer Puja Khedkar has reportedly been put on hold due to allegations of power and privilege misuse. She is summoned back to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie for further necessary action.
Khedkar was issued a directive stating by The General Administration Department of the Maharashtra government that said, "You are hereby relieved from the District Training Programme of the State Government of Maharashtra." The directive instructs Ms Khedkar to "join the academy at the earliest" but not later than July 23.

Who Is Puja Khedkar?

Puja Khedkar is a probationary IAS Officer who secured a rank of 821 in the 2022 UPSC Civil Services Examination and was allotted the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Physically Handicapped (PH) quotas. She sparked controversy after her misuse of the private Audi car with a red-blue beacon light and VIP number plate.

She was also alleged of submitting fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to gain entry into the Civil Services among other misconducts.

Why Is The Khedkar Family In Trouble?

Reportedly, Khedkar’s father was accused of possessing assets worth Rs 40 crore, which would place the family well above the Rs 8 lakh annual income threshold for any reservation benefits. The police are also investigating Puja’s mother, Manorama Khedkar’s involvement in a gun-toting incident, in which she is seen threatening individuals over a land dispute in a video.

Following all the controversies, the Maharashtra government transferred Khedkar from Pune to Washim last week.

What Are The Rules Governing Civil Servants

According to media reports, Puja Khedkar's actions as a civil servant are governed by two key rules - the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and the Indian Administrative Service (Probation) Rules, 1954. Let us have a look at the rules governing IAS officers and trainees.

Integration Of Services

Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers are governed by the AIS (conduct) rules from the beginning of their training. According to rules, the members of the service are strictly refrained from using their office to secure the employment of any family member in any private or non-governmental organisation.

In 2014, some sub-rules were also added by the Center stating that officers should maintain ethics, integrity, honesty, political neutrality, accountability, transparency, sensitivity to people, especially weaker sections, and good behaviour towards people. Puja was found guilty of violating all of the above. It was also mentioned that officers must make decisions only in the public interest.

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“An officer shall not place himself under financial or other obligation to any person or organisation who may influence him. Do not abuse your position as a civil servant, and do not make any decisions to gain financial or material benefits for yourself, your family, or your friends,” the rules added.

In 2015, another rule was added which said that the government must be notified of any gifts given to family or relatives that exceed the value of Rs 25,000.

Rules For Probationary Officers

According to the rules, IAS Officers are not eligible for special powers enjoyed by IAS officers including an official car with a VIP number plate, official accommodation, an official room with adequate staff, and a constable. A trainee may get disqualified by the centre if found ineligible for recruitment or unfair to be a service member. They can further be relieved if they neglect their studies and duties. This is done after holding a summary enquiry. In Khedkar’s case, a single-member committee has been formed to examine all documents submitted to her.

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Submission Of Fake Certificates

In Civil Services, 27 per cent of the seats are reserved for the OBC category, and three per cent of seats in general, OBC, ST, and SC categories are reserved for the differently abled. Ms Khedkar was accused of forging her certificates to gain entry into the Civil Service. Reports also claim that she submitted a mental illness certificate. In April 2022, she was asked to report at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, for verification of her disability certificate, but she did not do so, citing Covid infection.

According to the rules, if the certificates are found to be fake, the Civil Servant shall not be retained. The civil servant, though, can challenge his/her dismissal in court before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and the National OBC Commission.

Image Courtesy: HT

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