Pune: YCM Hospital’s Disability Certificate to IAS Probationer Puja Khedkar Under Investigation, District Hospital Rejected
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande & Tikam Shekhawat
Pimpri Chinchwad, 15th July 2024: Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who has recently been embroiled in several controversies, is now facing another allegation. Reports suggest that Khedkar, accused of misuse of power, obtained a disability certificate for visual impairment and mental disability. It has been revealed that this certificate was issued by Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital in Pimpri in 2022.
In 2022, the 32-year-old probationer petitioned the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to ensure reservations for individuals with disabilities in categories A (visual impairment) and D (mental disability), as stipulated in Section 34 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016. However, she did not appear for the scheduled medical examination at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on 22nd April 2022 and missed five additional appointments thereafter.
On 13th July, the Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, Pune, Pravin Kundlik Puri, wrote to Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, requesting an investigation into the credibility of the disability certificate after various representatives of disabled people raised concerns.
Speaking on this matter, Dean of YCM Hospital Dr. Rajendra Wable told Punekar News, “The certificate was issued. I was the dean at that time. Currently, we are verifying the details regarding the issuance of the disability certificate. We are investigating the matter.”
However, not satisfied with the disability percentage mentioned by YCM Hospital, Puja Khedkar had applied for another certificate at the District Hospital, Aundh, Pune.
“Puja Khedkar had applied in August 2022 and after verification we had rejected her application for duplication on 11th October 2022 as YCM Hospital had already issued the certificate”, said Dr Nagnath Nampalle, Pune District Civil Surgeon and Head of the District Hospital.
