Rarely has a Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner received the kind of public praise currently being directed at Tukaram Mundhe, who has gained widespread attention for his strict action against unhygienic practices at restaurants and eateries across the state. The 2005-batch IAS officer, known for his no-nonsense style and frequent clashes with politicians during his career, was asked whether he would consider entering politics at Business Today’s India@100 event. His response was direct.
“No way. It has its own requirements. I am a forthright, very open-hearted, outspoken person. I don't know whether politics likes these qualities,” Mundhe said.
Often referred to as “IAS Singham” because of his strict enforcement of rules, Mundhe said politics presents challenges that are very different from those faced in public administration.
'3,000 RAIDS, RS 55 CRORE GOODS SEIZED'
Asked whether he could bring the same approach to politics that he has demonstrated as a bureaucrat, Mundhe replied, “If I am good at one thing, I should continue with it.”
Mundhe was appointed Maharashtra FDA chief just three months ago and has since attracted significant attention for his aggressive enforcement drives targeting restaurants, warehouses and food outlets.
In recent weeks, Domino’s and Pizza Hut outlets were temporarily shut after inspections reportedly found cockroaches and expired products in their kitchens. Several established food businesses in Mumbai also had their licences temporarily suspended. Inspections at Blinkit and Zepto dark stores uncovered lizards, cockroaches and expired products.
Mundhe has also conducted inspections at canteens inside the Bombay High Court.
As of July 31, he said the FDA had carried out around 3,000 inspections, seized goods worth Rs 55 crore and suspended the licences of 165 establishments.
His reputation for taking firm administrative decisions has contributed to his being transferred around 25 times during his 21-year career. Asked whether he enjoys being challenged, Mundhe responded, “I challenge myself, nobody else.”
Mundhe’s journey from growing up in a village in Beed to heading the Maharashtra FDA has involved working under several chief ministers.
Asked whether he had a favourite among them, he jokingly replied, “Everybody is my favourite.”
He explained that the Chief Minister represents the “will of the people” and makes decisions based on that mandate. As a bureaucrat, Mundhe said, his responsibility is to implement decisions taken by elected representatives, even when he may privately disagree with them.
HOW IS IT LIKE TO WORK UNDER TUKARAM MUNDHE?
Speaking about what it is like to work under a strict administrator, Mundhe said FDA officials, like employees in other departments, work eight-hour shifts and no more than 48 hours a week, in accordance with labour laws.
However, he stressed that the FDA is different from a conventional office and described it as a “lab that works 24x7”.
“The food consumed by a person has to be safe, efficacious, and standard. That's the output we are expecting, and the outcome is to keep people healthy. That is the goal. That's the level at which you have to think and work, and strategise accordingly,” he said.
Before the interview ended, Mundhe was asked whether he conducts surprise inspections of his own kitchen. The Maharashtra FDA chief responded humorously by referring to a popular WhatsApp meme.
“There is a meme going around on social media these days. A homemaker, or the better half, tells her husband, ‘Call Tukaram Mundhe over for dinner and ask him to inspect the kitchen. Then it will be shut down, and I won't have to work’,” he said with a smile.
