Centre discharges Puja Khedkar from Indian Administrative Service
New Delhi, Sep 7: The central government has discharged Puja Khedkar, former probationary civil servant, from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with immediate effect, official sources said on Saturday.
Khedkar has been accused of cheating and wrongly availing Other Backward Classes (OBC) and disability quota benefits to ensure her selection in the service. She has denied all allegations.
The central government, vide order dated September 6, 2024, discharged Khedkar from the Indian Administrative Service under Rule 12 of IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, with immediate effect, the sources said.
The rules allow the central government to discharge probationers from service if they fail "to pass the re-examination..." or "if the central government is satisfied that the probationer was ineligible for recruitment to the Service or is unsuitable for being a member of the Service", among others.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had on July 31 cancelled her candidature and debarred her from future exams.
Khedkar was serving as a probationary IAS officer in her cadre state Maharashtra.
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M'luru: NRI Michael D'Souza family launches 'Educare Endowment' fund to aid underprivileged students
Mangaluru: Mangalore Diocese Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha on Monday launched the 'Educare Endowment Fund,' established at CODP (Canara Organisation for Development and Peace) by non-resident Indian and 'Vision Konkani' pioneer Michael D'Souza and his family.
At the CODP hall in Nanthoor, Bishop Saldanha lit the lamp and symbolically handed over interest-free loans to talented students. The Bishop noted that since 2013, Michael's financial assistance for empowering the weaker sections of the community has instilled hope within society.
"This initiative aims to motivate more students in the community, with the understanding that they will repay the aid after securing employment.
Visionary projects like this are crucial for uplifting the weaker sections of society, likening it to the saying that a country without vision will be destroyed," he added.
Nisha D'Souza, Michael D'Souza's daughter, expressed her happiness in continuing the project that started 10 years ago to support talented students from underprivileged families within the community. Flavia D'Souza, Michael's wife, and Valerian D'Souza were also present.
Director of CODP, Vincent D'Souza, delivered the welcome and introductory speech, while Counselor Richard Alvaris moderated the program. Coordinator Reena D'Costa delivered the vote of thanks.
A donation check of Rs. 75 lakh was presented during the event by Michael D'Souza and his family to CODP, which will be used to provide financial assistance to 84 students pursuing higher education, including MBBS and Engineering, this year.
"Michael D'Souza has been providing this financial assistance for the past 12 years, benefiting 3,300 individuals so far. The scheme is currently managed by CODP. Aid is granted to students with the condition that it will be repaid within one and a half years after completing their education," stated Vincent D'Souza.
