- October 14, 2026
Tukaram Mundhe ‘Transferred Again’? FDA Chief Gives Clarification Amid Social Media Buzz, Says Crackdown Will Go On
Last Updated:
Tukaram Mundhe on X: “No, I have not been transferred from FDA. I continue to serve as Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra.”
Maharashtra FDA Chief Tukaram Mundhe.
Addressing the buzz surrounding his transfer, Tukaram Mundhe, also known as ‘Singham’, denied the transfer rumours, clarifying that he remains the Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The speculation gained traction online after the state government appointed Mundhe as the secretary of a five-member committee tasked with investigating paper leaks and irregularities within the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC).
Because of his historical track record of frequent administrative reassignments, many interpreted this new responsibility as a sign of an impending department transfer or removal from the FDA.
Addressing the buzz directly on social media, Mundhe stated: “I continue to serve as Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra. Our fight against unsafe, substandard, adulterated food and spurious, substandard drugs goes on.”
He further emphasized that the department’s aggressive enforcement actions and strict crackdown against unsafe food, adulterated products, and spurious medicines will continue unabated.
No, I have not been transferred from FDA.नाही, माझी FDA मधून बदली झालेली नाही.I continue to serve as Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra. Our fight against unsafe, substandard, adulterated food and spurious, substandard drugs goes on.
मी अन्न व औषध प्रशासन, महाराष्ट्र येथे आयुक्त म्हणून कार्यरत आहे. भेसळयुक्त अन्न आणि निकृष्ट औषधांविरुद्धची आमची लढाई सुरूच आहे.
#TukaramMundhe #Trust
— Tukaram Mundhe (@Tukaram_IndIAS) October 12, 2026
TUKARAM MUNDHE AND HIS TRANSFERS
At A Glance
Tukaram Mundhe denied rumors of his transfer and confirmed he remains the Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration.
Mundhe has faced 25 administrative transfers across 21 years of service as an IAS officer in the Maharashtra cadre.
Appointed as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner in May 2026, Mundhe launched a massive anti-adulteration drive raiding over 1,000 establishments.
Tukaram Mundhe, a 2005-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, has built a widespread reputation for his uncompromising, no-nonsense administrative style, earning him the popular nickname “Singham IAS”. However, his zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and strict adherence to rules have made him a regular target for political pushback, resulting in a staggering 25 administrative transfers in 21 years of service—averaging less than a year per posting.
The transfer record
2014–2016: District Collector, Solapur
Led an aggressive water conservation drive under the Jalyukt Shivar scheme. He aggressively went after the local sand mafia, which earned him a “Best Collector” state award but upset local political syndicates.
2016–2017: Municipal Commissioner, Navi Mumbai
Opposed two multi-crore public projects approved by political corporators. Local leaders called for a city-wide bandh (strike) to force him out, while over 6,000 citizens signed online petitions to retain him. He was transferred after 11 months.
2017–2018: CMD, Pune Transport Corporation (PMPML)
Sacked 158 contract drivers for chronic absenteeism and hiked senior citizen pass fares to balance civic transport budgets. He faced immense friction from transport unions and political leaders, resulting in a transfer in under 9 months.
2020: Municipal Commissioner, Nagpur
Handled the civic budget with a tight fist and centralized the local COVID-19 pandemic response. Local corporators across political lines revolted against his style. While recovering from COVID-19 himself, he was abruptly shunted out to a water supply board.
2022: Commissioner of Health Services
Docked one day’s salary for absent staff during surprise hospital raids and cracked down heavily on government doctors running private clinics during official working hours. He was moved out in just two months.
2026–Present: Commissioner, Maharashtra FDA
Appointed in May 2026, he immediately launched a massive anti-adulteration drive, raiding over 1,000 establishments and suspending the food licences of major global fast-food chains. Speculation of his transfer arose again following political murmurs of a ₹250-crore corporate lobby targeting him.
Despite the unstable career graph, Mundhe has publicly maintained a pragmatic stance on the constant reshuffling. In media interactions regarding his service record, he remarked: “More transfers mean more opportunities to bring about positive changes.”
He maintains that his job is strictly to serve as a public servant and perform the role exactly as outlined by the law, regardless of how long he is permitted to stay.
Quick Answers
Ask News18No, Tukaram Mundhe has clarified that he has not been transferred and continues to serve as the Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration. Speculation arose online after he was appointed to investigate paper leaks, but he confirmed his ongoing anti-adulteration crackdown remains active.
Ask News18About the Author
At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci…Read More
October 13, 2026, 19:28 IST
Read More
