IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe was appointed commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday, marking his 25th transfer in a 21-year career and his second in less than two months. The 2005-batch officer had previously been transferred as secretary of the disability welfare department in April and was also appointed principal secretary in the disaster management, relief and rehabilitation department. However, before he could take charge, the transfer was stayed, leaving him without a posting for about a month.
Other Key Appointments
According to an official order, Kanhuraj Bagate was appointed as the managing director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), a post previously held by senior IAS officer Ashwin Bhide before her appointment as Mumbai municipal commissioner. Current FDA commissioner Shridhar Dube was shifted to the role of CEO of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Slum Rehabilitation Authority. Dube had been posted as FDA commissioner in February this year, prior to which he served as managing director of the Maharashtra State Co-operative Marketing Federation. He replaced Rajesh Narvekar, a 2009-batch IAS officer.
Seniority Concerns
Dube is a 2014-batch IAS officer, while Mundhe belongs to the 2005 batch. Officials noted that the posting is seen as a setback given Mundhe's seniority. In other appointments, R S Chavan was named managing director of Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation. Additional chief secretary (tourism) Sanjay Khandare has been given additional charge as ACS FDA, replacing IAS officer Dhiraj Kumar.
Mundhe's Reputation
Mundhe is widely recognized for his unyielding stance against corruption, fierce discipline, and strict adherence to rules. Often hailed as the 'Singham' of the state's bureaucracy, his appointment to the FDA is expected to bring a tough approach to the regulatory body.
