Maharashtra CM approves suspension of 6 more FDA officers over out-of-jurisdiction raids in Pune, Bhiwandi

Mumbai: The raids carried out in Pune and Bhiwandi are now proving costly for officers of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sources say the Chief Minister has given the go-ahead for the suspension of six more FDA officers, which means these six are likely to be suspended.

Orders have also been issued for departmental inquiries into a total of 20 officers, followed by action. In all, 26 FDA officers are in trouble for conducting raids outside their area of jurisdiction. Six of them have already been suspended.

Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe and Minister Narhari Zirwal had sent the file to the Chief Minister in this connection. It is now being said that the Chief Minister has also approved the action. The file named 26 officers as being at fault. Accordingly, directions have been given for the suspension of six officers and action after departmental inquiries against 20.

The case is that in recent days these officers went beyond their jurisdiction to conduct raids in Pune and Bhiwandi. The company raided comes under the Central government, yet Maharashtra FDA officers carried out the raid. It is a tobacco company. It has been stated that the officers knew this, yet the manner in which they raided it was unauthorised, and action was therefore marked against them. The matter had reached from the court to Delhi, and the action now appears to follow.

A few days ago, a case involving betel nut (supari) had also come to light, in which about five officers were suspended. Now 26 officers have been marked for action. It is being said that this is the biggest case in the FDA so far. All the officers involved are senior officials, and it is these senior officers who now face action.

While the FDA is seen acting against eateries and other things, the stick of action has now fallen on these officers as well because of some unauthorised and illegal raids. It is therefore likely that the suspension orders for the six officers will emerge by this afternoon. The orders for departmental inquiries against the 20 officers are then also likely to be issued from the Minister's office.

All these officers are from Pune and Mumbai. The possibility that some officers from the Minister's office are also among them cannot be ruled out, so it will be important to see whether their names also come out. Tukaram Mundhe and Minister Narhari Zirwal appear to be in action mode over disciplinary steps within the department.