2 hrs ago
Raut Alleges Maharashtra FDA Extortion, Demands Departmental Cleanup
Sanjay Raut says some Maharashtra food-safety officials may be asking businesses for illegal payments.
He says officials threaten restaurants, hotels, and quick-commerce companies with license suspensions.
Raut claims the amounts demanded to stop closing notices have increased sharply.
He also described an alleged demand of Rs 17-Rs 18 lakh in Thane.
Raut says some businesses are being punished based only on social-media complaints.
He believes complaints should be checked in person before officials raid or suspend a business.
Raut also says large pharmaceutical companies may receive more lenient treatment than small vendors.
He asked FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to investigate and clean up the department.
The article does not report a response from Mundhe or the FDA to these allegations.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused Maharashtra FDA officials of using enforcement actions to demand bribes from businesses.
Raut alleged that closing-notice settlements now cost Rs 75,000 to Rs 2,00,000, up from Rs 10,000-Rs 12,000.
He identified FDA offices in Bandra and Thane as alleged centres of the extortion activity.
Raut cited an allegation that two Thane officials demanded Rs 17-Rs 18 lakh to restore a quick-commerce company’s suspended license.
He urged Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to investigate, enforce due process, discipline officials, and publish suspension and restoration details.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut made the allegations and addressed Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe; Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis received a copy.
- What
- Raut alleged an extortion and corruption racket involving FDA officials, including demands for bribes linked to closing notices and license restorations.
- Where
- The allegations concern Maharashtra, particularly FDA offices in Bandra and Thane, with complaints also reported from Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, Wardha, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
- When
- Raut’s letter was dated September 27 and was posted on his X account on Monday morning.
- Why
- Raut wants an investigation, disciplinary action, verification of complaints before raids, and greater transparency in license suspensions and restorations.
Key facts
- Alleged closing-notice rates
- Raut said settlements rose from Rs 10,000-Rs 12,000 to Rs 75,000-Rs 2,00,000.
- Alleged Thane demand
- Two Designated Officers allegedly sought Rs 17-Rs 18 lakh to restore a suspended quick-commerce license.
- Named offices
- Raut identified FDA headquarters in Bandra and the Thane office.
- Businesses mentioned
- Hotels, restaurants, small food vendors, and quick-commerce companies.
- Requested investigation
- Raut asked for a probe into the alleged closing-notice rate card and license-restoration rackets.
- Requested transparency
- He urged digital publication of suspension and restoration details, dates, hearing summaries, and justifications.
Quotes
Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader and Rajya Sabha MP
“Designated officers (DOs), assistant commissioners and food safety officers (FSOs) are allegedly openly threatening hotels and quick-commerce businesses with suspension of their licences and are engaging in widespread extortion.”
m.rediff.com
“You cannot afford to ignore this,”
m.rediff.com
Sources
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