Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Responds to Allegations of Corruption

Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Addresses Extortion Claims

Mumbai, Sep 29: Tukaram Mundhe, the Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), has responded to allegations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut regarding systemic extortion within the agency. Mundhe stated that the accusations are vague, lacking specific details, and emphasized that his office has not received any formal communication on the matter.

The controversy arose after Raut claimed in a letter that FDA field officers were misusing Mundhe’s rigorous enforcement initiatives to extort money from local businesses, including hoteliers and quick-commerce operators.

In his response, Mundhe clarified that he learned about Raut's allegations through media coverage, as no official letter had reached his office. He expressed his willingness to investigate any claims and urged Raut or affected business owners to provide concrete evidence rather than general assertions. "I appreciate his concerns. If he has specific information, I encourage him to share it with me or the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)," he stated.

Mundhe also addressed fears among small and medium-sized hoteliers about potential retaliation for reporting corrupt practices. He assured them that their identities would be kept confidential, as the FDA's complaint portal automatically protects the anonymity of complainants. He promised that any direct reports made to him would remain strictly private.

In his earlier communication, Raut praised Mundhe for his efforts to combat food adulteration and unsanitary conditions in restaurants since taking office on May 25. However, he alleged that these enforcement actions have led to a darker side, where officials are reportedly threatening businesses with immediate license suspensions to extort large sums of money. Raut claimed that the cost to settle inspection notices has surged from Rs 10,000-Rs 12,000 to between Rs 75,000 and Rs 2,00,000 due to the heightened enforcement activities.

Raut identified the FDA headquarters in Bandra and the regional office in Thane as key locations for this alleged illegal collection. He accused two Designated Officers in Thane of demanding Rs 17-18 lakh from a quick-commerce business to reinstate a suspended license. Raut contended that officials are bypassing necessary legal procedures, such as issuing improvement notices and conducting formal hearings, opting instead for immediate suspensions based on unverified complaints.

Since Mundhe took charge in late May, the Maharashtra FDA has launched an extensive enforcement campaign across the state. From May to August, the FDA conducted inspections at 12,083 establishments, issued 5,269 improvement notices, and suspended 603 licenses.

While Mundhe asserts that stringent regulatory oversight is crucial for public safety and food quality, the political tensions underscore the growing pressure from business groups who claim that routine inspections are becoming opportunities for bureaucratic exploitation. Nonetheless, the FDA Commissioner has reiterated a strict zero-tolerance stance against administrative corruption, contingent upon the submission of actionable evidence.