Tukaram Mundhe remains FDA commissioner, also named secretary of MPSC inquiry panel

IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe continues as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He clarified this himself in a social media post, putting an end to the speculation about his transfer.

In his post, Mundhe said, "I have not been transferred from FDA. I am working as commissioner at the Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra. Our fight against adulterated food and substandard drugs continues." He also said firmly that the fight against adulterated food and substandard drugs will go on. The post is dated October 12, 2026.

Questions had been raised about his responsibility at the FDA after news came that Mundhe had been appointed secretary of the committee inquiring into the paper leak case of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). Against this background, Mundhe gave the clarification and stated his position.

Students in Pune had protested for nearly 11 days over the alleged paper leak and mismanagement at the MPSC. The students had intensified the agitation demanding that MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar resign. The protest was called off around midnight on October 12 after Minister Shivendraraje mediated.

The state government then set up a committee to inquire into the irregularities in the case. The committee has five members in all. Tukaram Mundhe is the secretary and B. D. Naik is the chairman. Ganesh Patil is a member, Lakhmi Gautam is a police officer on the panel and Dilip Bhosale is a former High Court judge.

The committee will inquire into the alleged mismanagement in the MPSC case. Candidates are watching how the students' complaints and the alleged irregularities in the examination are investigated. What the inquiry concludes and what steps the government takes afterwards will also matter.

Demand for sweets, edible oil, milk and other food items rises during the Dussehra-Diwali festive season. At such a time, the role of the Food and Drug Administration is important in keeping adulterated products out of the market. With Mundhe making it clear that he retains his post at the FDA, citizens' expectations of the department's action have risen.

Food safety does not depend on the appointment of a single officer. Regular inspections, sample tests and action against rule-breakers are equally important. The whole state is therefore watching what concrete steps the FDA takes against adulterators in the coming festivals and how the MPSC inquiry committee's investigation proceeds.