Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer, was relieved from the District Coaching Programme of the Maharashtra authorities on Tuesday after being discovered on the centre of an issue over her alleged misuse of energy as a civil servant. Puja Khedkar was recalled to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Nationwide Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, and her training has been put on hold.
Puja Khedkar, who secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 821 within the UPSC examination, sparked an issue when she used her personal Audi automobile with a red-blue beacon mild and VIP quantity plate. She can be accused of submitting faux incapacity and Different Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil companies examination and a number of allegations of misconduct.
Amid the controversies, the Maharashtra authorities transferred Khedkar from Pune to Washim final week. In the meantime, the Centre additionally shaped a committee to look at all paperwork submitted by Khedkar to safe her candidature in civil companies.
In keeping with a report by The Indian Express, Puja Khedkar’s actions as a civil servant are ruled by two key guidelines – the All India Providers (Conduct) Guidelines, 1968, and the Indian Administrative Service (Probation) Guidelines, 1954. Let’s check out among the guidelines governing IAS officers and probationary officers:
‘Integration of companies’
All of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers are ruled by the AIS (conduct) guidelines from the time of their coaching. Below this, all members of the service ought to keep constancy to obligation and never do something “unbecoming” throughout their service. In keeping with the foundations, officers should not use their workplace to safe the employment of any member of the family in any personal or non-governmental organisations.
Later, in 2014, the Centre added some sub-rules, together with that officers ought to keep ethics, integrity, honesty, political neutrality, accountability, transparency, sensitivity to individuals, particularly weaker sections, and good behaviour in direction of individuals—all of which Puja Khedkar has been questioned for. Additionally it is talked about that officers ought to make selections solely within the public curiosity, with out regard for any personal curiosity.
“An officer shall not place himself below monetary or different obligation to any individual or organisation who could affect him. Don’t abuse your place as a civil servant, and don’t make any selections to achieve monetary or materials advantages for your self, your loved ones, or your pals,” the foundations added.
One other rule up to date in 2015 requires the federal government to be notified of any items given by shut kin or buddies to the officers whose worth exceeds ₹25,000.
Guidelines for probationary officers
In keeping with the foundations, probationary IAS officers obtain a set wage and travelling allowance throughout their coaching interval. Nonetheless, they aren’t eligible for particular powers loved by IAS officers—reminiscent of an official automobile with a VIP quantity plate, official lodging, an official room with satisfactory workers, and a constable.
The Centre could disqualify a trainee if – the trainee is discovered to be “ineligible” for recruitment or unfit to be a service member, if the trainee neglects research and duties, and if the trainee’s conduct just isn’t required for the service. That is determined by the Centre after holding a abstract enquiry. In Puja Khedkar’s case, the federal government has shaped a single-member committee to look at all paperwork submitted by her.
Guidelines for submission of pretend certificates
Puja Kedkar has been accused of offering faux incapacity and Different Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil companies examination. Studies claimed that she had additionally submitted a psychological sickness certificates. In April 2022, she was requested to report on the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, for verification of her incapacity certificates, however she didn’t achieve this, citing Covid an infection, PTI reported.
Notably, 27 per cent of seats within the civil companies are reserved for the OBC class, and three per cent of seats usually, OBC, ST, and SC classes are reserved for the in another way abled. If a candidate is discovered to offer faux certificates, the civil servant shouldn’t be retained, the foundations say. Nonetheless, the civil servant can problem his/her dismissal in court docket earlier than the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and the Nationwide OBC Fee.