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 The Maharashtra government has appointed Rajesh Narvekar as the new Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra. Narvekar officially assumed charge last week, filling a post that had been vacant since August 2024, following the retirement of the former FDA Commissioner, Abhimanyu Kale.
Narvekar, a 2009-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, comes with a wealth of administrative experience. Known for his efficiency and leadership, he has previously served as the Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, as well as the Collector of Thane district. Before his current appointment, he held the position of Commissioner of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
A Graduate in history, Narvekar's diverse administrative portfolio is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the FDA, a critical department tasked with ensuring the safety and quality of food and pharmaceuticals across Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra FDA has faced significant challenges in recent years, including manpower shortages, increasing cases of food adulteration, counterfeit drugs, and ensuring compliance with food and drug safety laws across the state. With the vacancy in leadership since August, stakeholders have expressed optimism about Narvekar’s ability to address these pressing issues and enhance the department's efficiency.
As Narvekar steps into this key role, industry experts and the public alike anticipate a renewed focus on strengthening enforcement, upgrading laboratory infrastructure, and fostering better coordination between the state and central authorities to address the unique challenges Maharashtra faces in food and drug safety.
In a brief statement, Narvekar thanked the state government for entrusting him with the responsibility and emphasized his commitment to ensuring public health and safety by prioritizing transparency, enforcement, and modernization within the FDA.
There are certain key tasks for the new Maharashtra FDA Commissioner like addressing manpower shortages and upgradation of the infrastructure of FDA labs in Maharashtra among others.
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