Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament, Sanjay Raut, has leveled serious allegations against officials of Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), accusing them of widespread extortion targeting hotels, restaurants, and quick-commerce companies. Raut claims officials are demanding exorbitant sums, ranging from ₹75,000 to ₹2 lakh, to settle “closing notices” or restore suspended licenses, a significant increase from previous rates of ₹10,000-₹12,000.
In a letter addressed to FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, Raut called for an immediate and thorough inquiry into these practices. He highlighted that the alleged extortion often involves officials bypassing established procedures, which mandate inspections, a compliance period, an improvement notice, and a hearing before any license suspension.
Allegations of Bypassing Due Process and Inflated Demands
Raut's letter asserts that the alleged extortion racket has seen a dramatic escalation in demanded amounts. He specifically cited complaints from business owners across various cities including Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, Wardha, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The Rajya Sabha MP pointed to the FDA headquarters in Mumbai's Bandra area and the Thane office as central hubs for these illicit activities.
A particularly alarming claim detailed in Raut's letter involved two Designated Officers in Thane, who allegedly demanded a staggering ₹17-18 lakh from a quick-commerce company to reinstate its suspended license. He further alleged that some businesses are being targeted based on unsubstantiated complaints, such as those concerning rodents or unhygienic conditions, without proper independent verification.
Call for Transparency and Disciplinary Action
Emphasizing the importance of adherence to proper regulatory procedures, Raut stated, "If recovery is being done by threatening direct licence suspension without implementing this procedure, then it is not food safety but abuse of power and extortion."
The Shiv Sena leader urged Commissioner Mundhe to initiate an independent probe into the alleged "closing notice rate card" and to specifically investigate the case in Thane. He also called for disciplinary action against any officials found to be circumventing due process. To enhance transparency and curb potential corruption, Raut recommended the digital publication of all license suspension and restoration details, making them publicly accessible.