Pune chemical firm's licence restored after minister stays Tukaram Mundhe's action, sparking row

Opposition to a decision of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe is now reportedly emerging from within the government itself. After the hooch tragedy in Pune, licences of companies that sold and stored methanol in violation of rules had been cancelled. A chemical company in Ranjangaon was among those hit by strict action.

The company had appealed to Minister Narhari Zirwal. The action against it has now been stayed and its licence restored. It is claimed that this happened under pressure from a senior leader of the party, and the claim has set off a controversy. There is talk about whose pressure Zirwal acted under.

To recall the background: 22 people died in the hooch tragedy in Pune. Thirteen officers of the State Excise Department and nine police personnel were suspended on charges of dereliction of duty and negligence. The main accused and others were arrested.

The FDA then inspected 102 methanol companies in the Pune division. The licences of 15 companies found violating rules were cancelled permanently, while those of 28 companies were suspended. A controversial chemical company in the Ranjangaon industrial estate was among them.

As provided under the rules, 22 companies found guilty filed appeals against Commissioner Mundhe's action with Narhari Zirwal, the minister for Food and Drug Administration.

Zirwal ruled on the Ranjangaon company's appeal. He set aside Mundhe's action and restored the company's licence as before. It is being claimed that a leader of Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party had recommended to Zirwal that the licence be returned.

Minister Zirwal held the hearing on September 9, stayed the action against the company and decided to restore the licence. Allegations are being made that Mundhe's action is being weakened in this way from within the government. Zirwal has meanwhile clarified that he took the decision on his own judgment, only after the appellant's evidence and the facts came before him.