Maharashtra’s ‘Singham’ tukaram mundhe gets 25th transfer in 21 Years; Appointed FDA commissioner

The FDA department, which Mundhe is set to lead, has recently been in the spotlight following a bribery scandal involving a clerk. Previously, in April, Mundhe was transferred from the Department for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities to the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, and Rehabilitation. However, due to political maneuvering, he was unable to assume the post, remaining “awaiting posting” for nearly a month.

Maharashtra: Senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe appointed FDA commissioner

Mumbai: Senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, widely known in Maharashtra for his integrity and no-nonsense approach, has been transferred once again. The 2005-batch officer has been appointed as the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—marking the 25th transfer of his 21-year career. Notably, this is his second transfer in less than two months, sparking fresh debates within administrative circles.

A Tough Task Ahead: Reforming the Controversy-Prone FDA

The FDA department, which Mundhe is set to lead, has recently been in the spotlight following a bribery scandal involving a clerk. Previously, in April, Mundhe was transferred from the Department for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities to the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, and Rehabilitation. However, due to political maneuvering, he was unable to assume the post, remaining “awaiting posting” for nearly a month.

Posting Viewed as a ‘Setback’ Despite Seniority

Among bureaucrats, appointing a senior 2005-batch officer to a post traditionally held by junior IAS officers is seen as a professional setback. Before him, the FDA Commissioner position was held by 2014-batch officer Sridhar Dubey and 2009-batch officer Rajesh Narvekar.

This reshuffle also saw other key appointments:

• Kanduraj Bagate – MD, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL)
• R.S. Chavan – MD, Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation
• Sanjay Khandare – Additional charge of ACS (FDA)
• From Humble Beginnings to ‘The Man on a Mission’

Tukaram Mundhe’s journey is remarkable. Born on June 3, 1975, in a drought-prone Beed district to a poor farming family of the Vanjari caste (OBC), Mundhe attended school barefoot. He completed his BA and MA from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and cleared the UPSC exam through sheer perseverance.

His early postings made waves:

• Solapur – Cracked down on illegal liquor dens
• Nashik & Navi Mumbai – Municipal Commissioner roles
• Pune – CMD of PMPML, where he transformed public transport and healthcare systems
• Clashes with Politicians and the ‘Singham’ Image

Mundhe is celebrated for his uncompromising integrity, earning nicknames like ‘Singham of Maharashtra’ and ‘The Waterman of Maharashtra’. Known for strict discipline, anti-corruption initiatives, and pro-public policies, he remains a popular figure among citizens.

However, his unwillingness to bow to political pressure and refusal to compromise on rules has led to frequent transfers. From exposing the sand mafia to enforcing strict compliance in public departments, his proactive approach often clashes with political interests—widely considered the primary reason behind his rapid succession of postings.