Maharashtra Food Officers Decry Suspensions Without Due Process, Threaten Statewide Pen-Down Stir

The Maharashtra State Food Officers' Welfare Association, affiliated with the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers’ Federation, has written to the Chief Minister, two Deputy Chief Ministers, and the Food and Drug Administration Minister, highlighting concerns over the recent suspension of officers without due process.

In its letter, the association expressed strong objection to the suspension of the Nashik Division’s Joint Commissioner (Food), the Assistant Commissioner (Food) of Nandurbar, and a Food Safety Officer. It stated that the action was taken merely through an announcement in the legislative assembly, without giving the accused officers a chance to present their side.

The association argued that the actions of the concerned officers were legally valid and within the purview of existing laws. “There is no legal provision to seal a food outlet merely on the grounds of poor-quality food. The law allows license suspension only if the food business operator fails to respond within the stipulated time. Yet, suspensions were announced in the legislature, including that of a Food Safety Officer against whom no official declaration had even been made,” the letter stated.

The association emphasized that none of the suspended officers were found guilty of any serious violation, dereliction of duty, financial irregularity, or criminal offense. “They were suspended solely based on unverified allegations, which has created a sense of deep resentment and insecurity among food officers across the state,” it noted.

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It warned that such arbitrary actions could embolden anti-social elements to blackmail or threaten food officers, adversely impacting their mental health and administrative work. “In the absence of sufficient laboratory infrastructure, limited manpower, and inadequate resources, food officers are still performing their duties with honesty and integrity. This move has severely demoralized officers and tarnished the image of the administration among the public.”

The association has demanded the immediate withdrawal of what it called an "unjust" suspension and has sought a firm assurance from the government that no such unilateral actions will be taken in the future. It warned that failure to resolve the issue would result in a statewide pen-down protest on Monday, August 4, 2025.