Pune: Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat functionaries are rallying behind FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe and have written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to ensure the officer completes his tenure on the position.Mundhe is known to be transferred frequently and his appointment as the FDA commissioner is his 25th posting in the 21 years of his career. Soon after assuming duty, he swung into action and started a crackdown against illegal drug trade, sale of adulterated food items and other irregularities related to the food and drugs industry. The authority has registered several FIRs across the state over one month.Meanwhile, amid FDA action, the consumer body has come out in Mundhe’s support. The members said they suspect there would be growing pressure from traders, hence, they have written to the CM to not transfer him prematurely.National executive committee member of the consumer body Vijay Sagar told TOI: “Mundhe and his department’s action is in favour of consumers. It is people’s right to get pure food and he is ensuring the same. We support his action. Apart from writing to the state govt, we are going to start a signature campaign to gather public support for the officer.”Members of the Grahak Panchayat said they had written a similar letter to the govt in support of Mundhe when he was the PMPML CMD in July 2017. President of the Pune unit of Grahak Panchayat Vilas Lele said, “Mundhe had started his work in a similar manner and tried to bring in some discipline to the transport body after his appointment as the PMPML CMD. We had then written to the CM. However, he was still transferred within a few months. This time, we are hopeful that the CM will support the officer.”
