Mumbai, September 28 (Daily Kiran) : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has expressed serious concerns regarding alleged corruption within the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a letter addressed to Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on September 27, Raut commended the FDA’s recent crackdowns on adulterated food, counterfeit dairy products, and unsanitary hotel kitchens. However, he warned that corrupt officials may be exploiting these actions to extort money from local businesses.
Posting the letter on his ‘X’ account, Raut accused designated officers and food safety officers of demanding hefty bribes from hotels, restaurants, and quick-commerce businesses, threatening to suspend their licenses. He noted that the rates for “closing notices” have skyrocketed, rising from ₹10,000-12,000 to between ₹75,000 and ₹200,000.
Raut highlighted the FDA headquarters in Bandra and its Thane office as the main hubs for these activities. He reported receiving numerous complaints from small business owners in Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, Wardha, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The letter referenced a specific incident in Thane where two designated officers allegedly demanded ₹17-18 lakhs from a quick-commerce company to reinstate a suspended license. Raut criticized the suspension of licenses based on unverified complaints circulated on social media, such as reports of rats being spotted.
He pointed out that while small food vendors face stringent actions, large pharmaceutical companies often evade scrutiny due to political backing and corporate influence. Raut urged Mundhe to conduct an immediate investigation into the alleged “closing notice rate card” and license reinstatement racket at the Bandra and Thane offices.
He called for mandatory physical verification of customer complaints before conducting raids to prevent false accusations. Raut also requested strict disciplinary action against officials who disregard legal protocols for extortion purposes. He emphasized the need for transparency by publishing all information related to license cancellations and reinstatements, including dates and summaries of hearings.
In closing, Raut stressed that public health protection should not be used as a pretext for extortion. He urged Mundhe to improve actions within the department alongside public safety measures. A copy of the letter was also sent to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
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