Mumbai, July 17: Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Friday endorsed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) intensified enforcement campaign against food safety and public health violations, while calling for greater transparency through a public digital dashboard to track hygiene and compliance standards.

Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) data, Deora noted that foodborne diseases and public health failures lead to 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally every year, besides causing an annual economic loss of around $310 billion due to reduced productivity.

Welcoming the FDA’s recent crackdown, which has included surprise inspections, suspension of licences for serious hygiene violations, mandatory allergen and calorie disclosures, and action against non-compliant blood banks, Deora said the government’s message was clear that public health cannot be compromised.

However, he argued that enforcement alone should not be the end goal and urged the state to build a transparent and technology-driven regulatory framework. According to Deora, Maharashtra has an opportunity to emerge as a national model by modernising the way food safety and compliance data is monitored and shared with the public.

He proposed that compliance records and inspection data be made publicly accessible online and advocated the creation of a centralised, state-wide digital dashboard displaying real-time safety ratings of establishments. Such a platform, he said, would empower consumers while encouraging businesses to maintain higher standards of hygiene and safety.

Deora also called for a clearly defined, time-bound mechanism for corrective action, coupled with swift re-inspections. Once deficiencies are addressed and independently verified, licences should be restored promptly to avoid unnecessary disruption to legitimate businesses, he said.

“The objective is not to shut businesses but to ensure they operate safely, transparently and responsibly,” Deora said, adding that an effective regulatory system must strike a balance between public safety and economic sustainability.

Deora’s statement comes at a time when the state’s food safety body has made headlines for closing prominent establishments over non-compliance, sparking a wider conversation on institutional accountability in India’s hospitality and healthcare sectors.

Since taking charge as the Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late May 2026, IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe has initiated a massive, high-intensity enforcement drive across the state. Mundhe has rapidly put food safety and public health at the forefront of the state’s administrative agenda.

In less than two months of assuming office, the FDA has conducted massive raids targeting manufacturers, wholesalers, eateries, and retailers across major divisions including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and Konkan under the banner of “Safe Food, Safe Medicines, Safe Maharashtra.”

According to department data, the aggressive enforcement drive has resulted in the registration of over 235 FIRs against violators, more than 350 arrests made in connection with food safety crimes and smuggling, 274 establishments sealed for failing basic hygiene checks or operating without a valid license, and seizures worth crores of rupees involving adulterated dairy, prohibited tobacco products, and misbranded medicines.

The process of Mumbai Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 electoral rolls is currently underway in Mumbai Region (Mumbai City and suburbs). In this context, it has come to light that some voters are receiving fake and misleading messages through WhatsApp. Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Choklalingam has appealed to voters not to respond to such messages and to avoid any financial transactions associated with them. As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are conducting door-to-door visits as part of the Special Intensive Revision – 2026 programme between June 30 and July 29, 2026, and necessary procedures are being carried out. In the meantime, it has been observed that some voters are receiving fake WhatsApp messages. These messages claim that an inquiry is underway regarding the documents submitted for voter registration and direct the recipient to contact the specified mobile number. Chief Electoral Officer S. Choklalingam clarified that the Election Commission of India does not charge any fee for its services. Therefore, voters are advised not to respond to any fake or fraudulent messages received regarding Special In-depth Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls – 2026. Furthermore, one should not share bank account details, OTPs, or other personal information with anyone, nor should any financial transactions be carried out. Reliance should be placed solely on the official websites or social media channels of the Election Commission of India/Chief Electoral Officer, or on the official instructions of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) or Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). In case of any doubt, one should contact the Voter Helpline number 1950 or visit the nearest Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) office. For information regarding the help desk, one is also urged to visit the link https://ceoelection.maharashtra.gov.in/ceo/Districtvoterhelpline.aspx.

In order to classify the trees of Mumbai into categories like ‘highly endangered’, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘healthy’ and to study the conditions on their age and condition, a survey of trees in all administrative wards should be done by the botany students. An information booklet on tree protection and health should be developed with the help of horticulture and made available to all concerned parties. New trees planted as compensation for those felled due to various reasons should be planted in Mumbai itself. Additionally, special precautions should be implemented to prevent accidents caused by falling trees. In this context, botanists, ecologists, and municipal authorities were deliberated to formulate an action plan for scientific classification, comprehensive survey and health assessment of trees in the city. Between 22 June 2026 and 6 July 2026, 830 trees fell in Mumbai due to high winds. Of these 830 trees, 480 were on private property. The number of fallen branches is more than the number of fallen trees. So far this year, 1,238 branches have fallen, of which 709 came from trees on private lands. Against this backdrop, an important meeting was held yesterday (July 16, 2026) under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. And the participants led by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne included eminent educationist and biologist Prof. Sanjay Deshmukh, environmental researcher Shrikant Angalkalikar, gardener Vaibhav Raje, Shri Abhijit Samant, and Deepak Jayant Patil; Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore; Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Prashotham Malwade; Deputy Commissioner (Gardens) Ajit Kumar Ambi; Chief Engineer (Roads) Manthaya Swamy; Garden Superintendent Mr. Jitendra Pardeshi; and other officers of the Garden Department were present during the meeting, a proposal was made to conduct a comprehensive survey of trees in all the administrative wards of Mumbai with the participation of horticulturists, students and horticulturists. It was suggested that on the basis of this survey, roadside trees should be scientifically classified into ‘high risk’, ‘endangered’ and ‘healthy’ groups. Emphasis was also placed on creating a dedicated database containing information on tree age, species, health, structural condition, age, and environmental context.
Creation and distribution of an information booklet for Mumbaikars covering topics like tree protection, health, proper pruning, maintenance and precautionary measures for citizens was also discussed. Further, instructions were issued that new trees planted to compensate for trees removed during development should ideally be planted within Mumbai. Appropriate species should be selected; Sufficient space should be provided for growth and care should be taken that root development is not impeded. During the meeting, it was also suggested that municipal corporation departments responsible for roads, storm drains, sewerage and gardens should collaborate to discuss tree protection and felling. The need to adopt scientific methods for tree felling, to formulate a specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), use of modern equipment and provide regular training to concerned officials and staff was also suggested. Discussions were also held regarding framing clear guidelines for felling of trees in the private sector.
The meeting highlighted the need for in-depth research by an expert committee to study various factors including effects on tree roots, soil availability, drainage, root respiration space, effects on growth and root causes of tree fall. Emphasis was placed on scientific analysis of the root causes of tree fall rather than just removal of fallen trees.” Discussions also covered concepts such as developing ‘biodiversity zones’ at various locations in Mumbai to plant trees that support local biodiversity, selecting suitable locations for roadside plantations, and devising long-term tree management policies that are responsive to future climate change. Additionally, bamboo plantations in the city There was also a discussion on identifying suitable places for tree conservation. The experts present in the meeting expressed the view that the efforts of the municipal corporation are not enough. Citizens’ participation, public awareness and scientific approach are also important. It was clarified that after reviewing all the suggestions given during the meeting, an action plan will be prepared and the necessary measures will be implemented to protect the trees of Mumbai Mechanical support may be provided to leaning trees.