Tukaram Mundhe: Who is the IAS officer who launched the campaign against adulteration in food items?

Tukaram Mundhe: Who is the IAS officer who launched the campaign against adulteration in food items?

Author, Nitin Sultane

Designation, BBC Marathi Correspondent

Published 17 August 2026

Reading Time: 8 minutes

"If any habit has to be changed, then first the old habit has to be given up and the new habit has to be adopted. During this time there is a lot of confusion. There is noise, opposition and tension is created."

Tukaram Mundhe had said this in a recent interview. This idea also matches his working style till now.

Perhaps this is why he has had to face transfers more times than his total years of service. But he says that every transfer is a new opportunity to bring change.

After becoming the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner of Maharashtra, he started taking action against food producers and traders who were adulterated, chemical-rich, fake and using colors against the rules.

His action is being discussed not only in entire Maharashtra but also in other states. He is especially in the news because of the action against substandard cheese and the subsequent ban on analog cheese for one year.

However, this is not their first incident of strict action. Even before this, he worked in the same manner in whatever department he went to. For this reason, there has been talk of his transfer time and again.

In an interview given to BBC Marathi, he said that transfers are a part of government service, so he keeps doing his work without worrying about it.

His journey, which started from a small village in Beed district, is today counted among the most popular officers of Maharashtra. Let us understand his journey.

Who is Tukaram Mundhe?

Tukaram Mundhe is a 2005 batch Maharashtra cadre officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Presently he is the Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration Department of Maharashtra.

His name is included among the most discussed officers in Maharashtra. His working style often remains in the media headlines.

Mundhe, resident of Tadsonna village of Beed, comes from a farmer family. Struggling amidst financial difficulties, he traveled to become an IAS.

The officers, employees and sometimes public representatives working with him have been complaining about his working style.

Complaints about work pressure

Many times the employees have also been angry about the working style of Tukaram Mundhe.

After taking charge at a new place, the first thing he pays attention to is the discipline of the employees. The time of coming to office is also important for them.

After coming to FDA, some employees of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar had also complained.

The employees had alleged that they had to work in two shifts. Besides, orders have also been given to work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It was also said that the workload would increase due to vacant posts.

In an interview given to ABP Majha, Tukaram Mundhe had clarified that no one was forced to work against the rules. The work which was not being done earlier has been started as per the rules.

He said that shift system already exists in laboratories, no employee is made to work for more than eight hours daily.

"Work is not made for more than 48 hours in a week. But it is not possible if everyone wants to work only from 10 am to 6 pm."

Mundhe and controversy: Notice to 660 employees for not working

First appointment in Solapur

After training, his first appointment was as Assistant District Magistrate in Solapur.

His very first action there came into controversy. Later, there was a big controversy regarding the campaign to remove encroachment.

He worked on posts like Assistant District Magistrate, District Magistrate and Municipal Corporation Commissioner in Solapur.

During his tenure as District Magistrate, many Varkari devotees died in a truck accident. At that time, he had ordered police firing to control the crowd. This incident was also discussed a lot.

First term in Nagpur

In 2008, he became the Chief Executive Officer of Nagpur Zilla Parishad.

He made timely attendance of teachers mandatory. Dress code enforced. It was even said that if the teachers did not arrive by ten in the morning, the school doors would be closed after five minutes.

Due to this there was protest also. However, during his tenure the Zilla Parishad also got ISO certification.

Later, while being the Chief Executive Officer of Washim Zilla Parishad, he had suspended a Gram Sevak Union leader. The dispute escalated so much that the leader threw a paperweight at him.

CEO of Pune Government Transport Company

There were many controversies after his appointment in Pune Metropolitan Transport Mahamandal Limited or PMPML.

He took many administrative decisions, on which he received both criticism and praise.

In one case he had issued show cause notices to 660 employees. This issue was quite discussed.

He was also in the news due to rent increase, conflict with employees and other reasons. He was transferred within a year.

Again appointed in Nagpur

During the Mahavikas Aghadi government, he was appointed as Nagpur Municipal Commissioner. There were differences between Mayor Sandeep Joshi and Tukaram Mundhe from the beginning.

There was also debate regarding his working style during the Corona period.

Local public representatives alleged that they do not take anyone into confidence. Mundhe said that all decisions are communicated to the concerned people.

Even in the Disabled Welfare Department, his work was both praised and criticized. His tenure there lasted only nine months. After this he was transferred to the post of FDA Commissioner.

No-confidence motion in Navi Mumbai

When he was Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner, the ruling parties had brought a no-confidence motion against him. This proposal was also passed with majority. After this the public demonstrated in his support.

'People should get the benefits of work'

After the transfer of Tukaram Mundhe, BBC had talked to some former officers and wanted to know their opinion in this regard.

During this, former administrative officer EZ Khobragade said that civil servants should get a chance to work on any post for at least two years.

He also said that officers should work peacefully instead of publicizing their work. If an officer is doing good work then the government and administration should also protect him.

Retired officer Mahesh Jhagade said that an officer should not be evaluated only on controversies. It should also be seen how much his work benefited the common people.

According to political analyst Ravi Kiran Deshmukh, Tukaram Mundhe is a fast-working officer. But sometimes governments do not like his working style. Wherever he goes, he tries to bring change. Because of this, conflicts arise and transfers take place.

According to senior journalist Raja Mane, his working style is based more on law than public sentiments. He gives priority to rules and public interest in everything.

At the same time, senior journalist Sunil Mali is of the opinion that Mundhe is an honest officer and is not accused of corruption, but he is not successful in adjusting with the system.

Mundhe clearly says on all these criticisms that he always works within his jurisdiction. According to him, working with honesty is more important than people's opinion.

During the Corona period, he was also accused of working to get publicity. He rejected this and said that officers do not need fame.

success achieved through struggle

Many things about his personal life are recorded in Shafi Pathan's book "Tukaram".

Tukaram Mundhe was born in Tadsonna village of Beed district. In later years, due to agricultural crisis and other reasons, many families there came into financial difficulty. His family was also one of them.

Since childhood, he had developed the habit of hard work and struggle. Along with studies, he also had to work in the fields.

According to the book, he started doing work like plowing from the third class itself. His elder brother Ashok Mundhe had become an officer. He was his source of inspiration.

He had also passed MPSC. Had also passed NEET exam and received fellowship.

The path to becoming an IAS was not easy. After a lot of struggle, his dream was fulfilled in 2005. He had secured 20th rank in all India.

Giving advice to the students coming into the administrative services in the future, Mundhe says, "If you want to come into this field only to do good for yourself, then do not come into the administrative services. But if you are ready to work for public development and with moral values, then only come into this field."