Mumbai, Sept. 19: Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has warned departmental officials that negligence, dereliction of duty and compromises during enforcement operations will invite action, while disclosing that vigilance inquiries have already been initiated against some personnel following complaints.
Mundhe said enforcement would not be limited to Food Business Operators (FBOs) and that FDA personnel responsible for monitoring activities within their jurisdictions would also face accountability. He said he had received specific complaints about officers allegedly attempting compromises during raids and had submitted proposals for action against certain officials for dereliction of duty.
Speaking to a Marathi television channel, Mundhe said the department would distinguish between genuine mistakes and deliberate misconduct, with the latter not being overlooked. He also said there was no justification for showing sympathy towards personnel who failed to perform their duties or engaged in wrongdoing.
The commissioner cited a recent early-morning enforcement operation coordinated directly from his office to underline the responsibility of local officials. While the FDA team reached the site at 4 a.m. for the raid, Mundhe questioned why officers posted in the area had failed to detect illegal activities taking place within their jurisdiction.
He also placed transporters and dealers under scrutiny, saying they share responsibility with FBOs in cases involving violations detected during enforcement operations.
Since taking charge, Mundhe has led statewide action against adulterated and sub-standard food products. FDA operations have targeted adulterated paneer, milk and sweets, food found to be below required standards at hotels and restaurants, and the illegal sale of gutkha.
Mundhe said he had formally approached Maharashtra government Intelligence and vigilance agencies, both verbally and in writing, seeking increased surveillance of FDA personnel during the ongoing enforcement drives. The move, he said, aims to prevent officials from misusing their authority while carrying out regulatory action.
The warning comes as the state FDA continues enforcement against food adulteration and other violations. Mundhe said accountability would apply both to officials who engage in misconduct and to those who fail to perform duties expected of them.
