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Mumbai: These days, there is a strange atmosphere of suspense and fear in the kitchens of luxurious restaurants, posh clubs and historical food joints of Mumbai. The places of taste that have made Mumbaikars crazy for decades have suddenly started getting locked. At the center of this whole storm is the new boss of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), IAS officer Tukaram Munde. As soon as he assumed office on May 25, Munde has launched a massive campaign in the food industry across the state, which has given sleepless nights to big businessmen. Till now, licenses of about 100 well-known establishments have been suspended, after which only one question is echoing among the public and media - has a new 'Singham' come to establish the rule of law in Mumbai's food sector?

What did Tukaram Munde say on being called 'Singham'?

Tukaram Munde clarified during a conversation that his aim is not to target any business, but to provide safe and standard food to the people. He said that being the Food Safety Commissioner, it is his constitutional and administrative responsibility to take strict action against unsafe food. Their aim is to make this campaign a mass movement, so that every citizen can get safe and quality food.

What is the reason behind the action on 100 establishments?

Munde said that action is not being taken on any minor deficiency. If only technical or general deficiencies are found during inspection, a rectification notice is given to the concerned establishment. But where food safety is directly compromised and consumers' health may be at risk, strict action such as suspending the license is taken. He also clarified that suspension of license does not mean permanent closure, but a temporary ban until the rules are followed.

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From 'K Rustam' to 'Mantralaya Canteen': Big names trapped in the web of rules

How fearless and fair this action is can be gauged from the fact that the investigation teams did not even spare the famous ice cream parlor 'K Rustam & Company' located in Churchgate, Mumbai. Their license was also suspended after serious deficiencies in cleanliness were found. When Munde was accused of selective or biased action, he made a very shocking revelation. Munde clearly said, "This campaign is not against any particular club or restaurant. We have even investigated the most secure bastion of the government, i.e. the ministry's canteen. Wherever the health of the general public is compromised, the hammer of law will fall there." Under this campaign, the department has also cracked down on mafia units making synthetic milk, because Munde believes that milk is the basis of nutrition for children and the elderly and adulteration in it will not be tolerated.

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Bombay High Court's entry: Small shortcomings or a big threat to public health?

As the number of licenses being suspended increased, the matter directly reached the court's doorstep. When Navi Mumbai's luxurious hotel 'Park Inn by Radisson' approached the Bombay High Court against the suspension of its license, the court also intervened in the matter. The Bombay High Court commented that the FDA should take a "pragmatic approach" while implementing the rules and should not outright shut down businesses for minor deficiencies. Responding to this courtroom suspense and criticism, Tukaram Munde made it clear that he was not doing anything arbitrarily. These rules have been decided by the national body 'FSSAI'. Taking a tough stand, Munde said that where there are minor problems, 14 days' rectification notice is given, but where customers' lives are in danger, compromise is impossible.

Big change of 180 degrees: Why did the entire system of food safety change?

Explaining the real secret behind this anger and protest among the businessmen, Commissioner Munde said that in fact the entire regulatory framework has changed. Before 2011, the country used to focus only on prevention of food adulteration. But after the new Act of 2006 came into full force in 2011, the focus is now not just on adulteration but on strict standards of food safety and hygiene. According to Munde, this is a big change of 180 degrees. When a decades-old system is replaced, it is natural for there to be some disruption in the system. Their only objective is – “Safe food, safe work and safe Maharashtra.” Now it remains to be seen to what extent this 'Singham' of Mumbai takes this mass movement.

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