PCMC Seals ThermoVerita Over Tax Default Amidst IAS Officer Controversy

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) sealed ThermoVerita, linked to IAS officer’s mother, for unpaid taxes of Rs 2.77 lakh. Meanwhile, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) filed an FIR against IAS probationer Puja Khedkar for alleged identity fraud in Civil Service Examination.

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has sealed the property of ThermoVerita India Pvt. Ltd., a company connected to Manorama Khedkar — the mother of probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar — for an alleged tax default amounting to Rs 2.77 lakh.

This move against ThermoVerita, situated in Pune, comes as Puja Khedkar faces separate controversies. She allegedly used the company's address to secure a disability certificate from YCM Hospital Pimpri Chinchwad.

Commissioner of PCMC, Shekhar Singh, detailed the tax default, explaining the reasons behind the property sealing. "The property tax for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 for ThermoVerita India Pvt. Ltd has been pending for the last two years. Additionally, the current year's outstanding dues are also unpaid," Singh said. He further elaborated that initial steps involved issuing notices and disconnecting the water supply before opting to seal the property.

In another development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) said it has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against IAS probationer Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar on accusations of fraud. The charges revolve around Khedkar allegedly "faking her identity" to exceed the permissible attempts for the Civil Service Examination.

The UPSC mentioned that it discovered Khedkar's violations during an investigation, which revealed she manipulated her personal details, including her name, parental names, photograph, signature, email ID, mobile number, and address. A show-cause notice for the cancellation of her selection and potential debarment from future examinations has also been issued.

Khedkar was initially a provisionally recommended candidate for the Civil Service Examination, 2022, the UPSC confirmed.

(With inputs from agencies.)