Ms Khedkar, a 2003 batch IAS officer, was in the news this week after it emerged that she may have lied about having visual and mental disability to get a job despite having low qualifications.
‘Accountability from within…’: Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora amid row over trainee IAS officer Pooja Kedkar
Puja Khedkar was a 2023 batch IAS officer (File).
Mumbai: Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora has called for “accountability from within” to the country’s bureaucratic system, including the Indian Administrative Service, which is the backbone of local governance. Mr Deora’s remarks come amid anger over the Pooja Kedkar controversy.
Ms Khedkar, a 2003 batch IAS officer, was in the news this week after it emerged that she may have lied about having visual and mental disability to get a job despite having low qualifications and then lured officials into giving her undue privileges on probation. officials.
Deora said persons employed in public service must take responsibility for their actions.
He said politicians have such a system – elections. “We politicians are often criticised, no matter which party we belong to… and I welcome that. But please keep in mind that politicians still have a system of accountability. We are voted in and then voted out.”
“Ultimately, the public has the power to remove us from office.”
“But India’s bureaucracy remains a largely unaccountable force… It is important to ensure accountability from within. So, I say again, the authorities must take prompt action in this matter.”
NDTV Explains | Who is Pooja Kedkar and what is the controversy surrounding her?
Mr Deora also called for the judiciary to be held accountable.
“When we talk about reforms and improving governance… I think politicians have that accountability, but we also have to talk about judicial and administrative (or bureaucratic) reforms to, really, how do we make these pillars of our democracy more accountable? You can’t just say: ‘Let’s make politicians accountable’… but then the judiciary and the bureaucracy cannot be held accountable.” “Based on the reports I have read, it is worrying. I think people who join public service, whether they are bureaucrats, politicians or people working in the media, have to follow certain standards. We have to ask ourselves why we chose our profession…,” Mr Deora told NDTV.
Citing Maharashtra’s “long legacy of excellent bureaucrats”, he said he was “very disturbed” to hear about Ms Khedkar’s actions. “If this is the prevailing culture, we must get rid of it immediately,” Deora said, calling for a “comprehensive and impartial” probe.
Stressing the need to establish a “solid, citizen-friendly culture of public service”, he said, “If these allegations are proven to be true… then these officers should not be tolerated.”
“We must do more to ensure that such people do not join public service,” he said. He said those who are unsuitable should be encouraged not to join the civil service. “The kind of people who are unsuitable should be encouraged not to join the civil service,” he said. The culture we create is very important because, frankly, ultimately it is bureaucrats who deliver public services.”
The allegations against IAS officer Pooja Khedkar pose a serious threat to the reputation of the service. Are you in the government to serve or out of a sense of entitlement? “I urge the chief secretary of Maharashtra to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry into these allegations without any delay,” he said.
It is important to ensure fairness in our administrative service and maintain public confidence. The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission, the training organisation) is known for producing high-calibre officers for public service. Those who lack merit and ethics do not deserve to hold public office, he said.
In her first interaction with the media after the allegations surfaced, Khedkar said she was “not authorised” to speak on the matter and that she was “happy” to start her new role.
