Ex-IAS officer Abhishek Singh under fire regarding disability claim
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New Delhi: Former bureaucrat, Abhishek Singh, is facing questions over his selection under the disability criteria amid reports that trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar had allegedly submitted fake disability certificate to secure the job, NDTV reported.
Abhishek Singh, who resigned last year to pursue acting, is facing a barrage of questions after his dance and gym videos surfaced on social media.
The 2011 batch IAS officer reportedly claimed to have a locomotor disability, thus availing concessions in the UPSC selection.
Singh reacted to the allegations with a post on X saying that he is not affected by criticism, adding he was answering because his supporters asked him to do so, ‘I move on the strength of my talent, confidence, and courage, not in anyone's favour.’
‘Although I am not affected by any criticism, this is the first time I am answering my critics because my supporters asked me to. Since I started supporting reservations, anti-reservationists have targeted me. They question my caste and my job. Let me tell you, I have achieved everything through hard work and courage, not through reservation,’ his post on X read.
He added further that he had done social work initiatives such as United by Blood and the No-Shame Movement without the help of the government.
‘I believe that reservation in government jobs should be according to the population, and I will work towards that. If you think you have talent, stop trying for government jobs and excel in business, sports, or acting. There is no reservation there,’ he reportedly said.
Meanwhile, trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar is under fire for using siren on her private Audi alongside demanding privileges such as separate house and car which are not available to junior officers.
The 2023-batch IAS officer reportedly claimed, in an affidavit submitted to the UPSC, to be visually and mentally impaired while refusing to take a mandatory medical test.
The Centre constituted a one-member committee to look into the allegations against Pooja Khedkar.
NDTV reported citing sources that Puja Khedkar may well be dismissed if she is found guilty, alongside facing legal action.
