Beware! Maharashtra To Target Milk Adulterators Under Organised Crime Act

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced a bold move to combat milk adulteration, signaling the state government's intent to amend existing laws to prosecute offenders under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

This drastic step, revealed during a meeting with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narahari Zirwal, underscores the administration’s growing alarm over the public health crisis posed by adulterated milk and food items. Pawar emphasized, “Adulteration of milk is a serious threat to people’s lives. We will not tolerate it.”

The announcement came in response to a calling attention motion in the state Assembly, highlighting widespread milk adulteration and the sale of analogue cheese across Maharashtra.

Pawar directed the FDA to draft a proposal for the amendment, which will be presented to the cabinet for approval. Invoking MCOCA—a law typically reserved for organized crime syndicates—would allow for stringent penalties, including extended detention without bail, aiming to deter adulterators operating in coordinated networks.

Pawar faced pressure to act swiftly amid reports of adulteration rackets thriving due to lax enforcement.

He acknowledged the FDA’s manpower shortages, promising additional funding in supplementary demands to equip the agency with advanced technology and machinery. He also ordered the training of Dairy Department staff to bolster FDA efforts and directed Solapur authorities to expedite arrests in a local adulteration case, regardless of the accused’s affiliations.

The proposal reflects a broader push for accountability, with Pawar stressing that adulteration undermines both public health and the dairy industry’s integrity. If approved, this amendment could set a precedent for tackling food safety violations with unprecedented rigor, though it may spark debates over the application of MCOCA to non-traditional crimes.