Rajesh Narvekar has been named the newly appointed Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the Maharashtra government. He took over the responsibilities last week, occupying a position that remained unfilled since the retirement of former FDA Commissioner, Abhimanyu Kale, in August 2024.
Narvekar, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 2009 cohort, brings substantial expertise in governance. He is recognized for his proficiency and leadership skills, having previously held roles such as Joint Secretary to the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Collector of Thane district. Prior to this new role, he was the Commissioner for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
Holding a degree in history, Narvekar’s vast administrative background is anticipated to deliver innovative approaches to the FDA, a pivotal entity responsible for maintaining food and pharmaceutical safety standards within Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra FDA has encountered numerous hurdles recently, from staffing deficiencies to a rise in food adulteration, counterfeit medications, and the challenge of adhering to safety regulations across the state. After the gap in leadership since August, there is hope among stakeholders that Narvekar will effectively tackle these urgent concerns and boost the department’s performance.
With Narvekar stepping into this crucial position, there is widespread expectation among industry leaders and the public for a reinforced emphasis on enforcement, technical advancements in laboratories, and improved collaboration between state and central agencies to address the specific issues Maharashtra faces in food and drug safety.
In his brief remarks, Narvekar expressed gratitude to the state for placing faith in his abilities and underlined his pledge to safeguard public health by focusing on transparency, enforcement, and modernization efforts within the FDA.
Among the primary duties for Narvekar as the new Maharashtra FDA Commissioner are resolving staffing challenges and upgrading the infrastructure of FDA laboratories in the state, among other key measures.