Strict Action Urged for Civil Servants Making False Disability Claims Beyond Dismissal

Amid the controversy involving probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, former LBSNAA chief Sanjeev Chopra stated on Wednesday that individuals using fake caste and disability certificates to join the civil services should not only face dismissal but also be required to repay the training costs and salaries they received. Khedkar's misuse of power and privileges has sparked a flurry of social media activity, with users sharing allegations and evidence of other IAS and IPS officers using fraudulent certificates to claim benefits for Other Backward Class (non-creamy layer) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Chopra emphasized the gravity of this issue, pointing out that those involved are participating in a criminal conspiracy, not merely juvenile delinquency. He argued for stringent measures, including dismissal, repayment of expenses, and serving sentences to deter such actions. Chopra also called for thorough investigations to uncover and punish anyone assisting in these fraudulent activities.

This issue has highlighted concerns about the verification processes for reservation and disability quotas, with some social media users questioning the efficacy of these checks. Chopra suggested the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and stricter controls in issuing OBC and disability certificates to prevent misuse.

Regarding Khedkar, Chopra mentioned that a central probe committee should thoroughly examine the case. Khedkar, a 2023 batch IAS officer, came under scrutiny when she allegedly misused her position and demanded unauthorized perks during her training in Pune. She was subsequently transferred and is currently under investigation.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annually conducts the civil services examination to select IAS, IFS, and IPS officers, among others, in a process involving preliminary exams, mains, and interviews. The ongoing controversy has brought attention to the need for more robust measures to ensure the integrity of this selection process.

The LBSNAA, India's premier civil service training institution, has also taken action by recalling Khedkar for further investigation. The single-member probe committee, led by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, has been tasked with investigating Khedkar's misuse of disability and OBC quotas and will submit its report within two weeks.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates a minimum reservation of four percent of government recruitment positions for candidates with benchmark disabilities. Similarly, OBC candidates with an annual household income below Rs eight lakh are eligible for non-creamy layer reservation benefits in government job recruitments. The current investigation aims to ensure that these provisions are not exploited fraudulently, thus maintaining the system's credibility and fairness.