Tukaram Mundhe's Tenure as FDA Commissioner Draws Parallels to Govind Khairnar

Tukaram Mundhe, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, has once again drawn attention for his uncompromising approach to enforcement. A day after the Bombay High Court criticised his conduct while acting against a hotel, FDA officials inspected the court’s canteen, highlighting the style that has made Mundhe one of the state’s most closely watched bureaucrats.

Since taking charge of the FDA three months ago, Mundhe has taken action against several establishments over alleged hygiene and food-safety violations. His department has cancelled licences of restaurants, dairies, ice cream parlours and other food businesses across Maharashtra, including establishments linked to five-star hotels and government-run canteens.

Mundhe, a 2005-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, is known for his direct and strict approach to administration. His career has been marked by frequent transfers, with reports stating that he has been transferred more than 25 times in two decades. His actions and remarks have repeatedly attracted public and political attention.

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His style has drawn comparisons with former Mumbai municipal officer Govind Ragho Khairnar, who became widely known as the city's “Bulldozer Man” during the 1990s. Khairnar rose from a government clerk to become a senior official in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and gained prominence for acting against illegal constructions and encroachments involving influential individuals.

Following the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, Khairnar targeted several unauthorised properties allegedly linked to underworld figures, including a lavish building associated with Dawood Ibrahim. He also demolished a property linked to Tiger Memon. His aggressive campaign brought him into conflict with political leaders and eventually resulted in his suspension over allegations of indiscipline and misconduct.

Khairnar later launched a public campaign against corruption during his suspension and made allegations against then Maharashtra Chief Minister Sharad Pawar, though he did not publicly produce the evidence he claimed to possess. His actions became a major political issue ahead of the 1995 Maharashtra Assembly elections. The comparison with Mundhe reflects how both officers became prominent for taking a confrontational approach to enforcement and refusing to make exceptions for powerful institutions or individuals.

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