Overview
- Transfer orders from Maharashtra’s General Administration Department installed Tukaram Mundhe as FDA commissioner and reassigned former chief Shridhar Dube Patil to head the Slum Rehabilitation Authority.
- Tourism Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Khandare received additional charge as secretary of the FDA, and other IAS officers were moved to Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical, Maha Mumbai Metro Operations, and the Dhule Zilla Parishad.
- Mundhe has a reputation for strict, rule-first administration from his tenures in Navi Mumbai and Nagpur and for a drive that targeted fake disability certificates in the Divyang Welfare Department.
- The FDA has drawn scrutiny over reported bribery tied to a minister’s office staff and the circulation of objectionable video clips linked to a minister.
- Medicine traders have announced a protest in response to the shake-up, signaling friction as tighter checks on drug quality and food safety move forward.