Students at the Government Women’s Polytechnic hostel in Tasgaon, Sangli district, have alleged that the mess repeatedly serves them worm- and insect-infested food, raw chapatis and undercooked rice, prompting them to appeal directly to Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe after the college principal ignored their written complaints.
According to the students, the hostel mess is in a state of severe unhygiene, with the cooking area itself infested with insects and dirt. Their daily meals reportedly consist only of pumpkin, brinjal and cauliflower on rotation, day after day, while salads and fruits — despite being listed on the official menu — are never served.
Most alarmingly, the students say worms and insects have repeatedly turned up
in the food on their plates, a health hazard they say has left many of them anxious about falling ill.
Did The Principal Ignore Repeated Complaints?
The students say they collectively submitted a written complaint to the college principal, seeking urgent and strict action against the contractor running the mess. However, they allege that despite the formal complaint, the administration neither acted against the contractor nor took any steps to improve the quality of food being served.
No reaction from the principal or the contractor was available at the time of publishing this report.
Will FDA Chief Tukaram Mundhe Step In?
With no relief from the college administration, the agitated students have now decided to approach Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe directly.
They are appealing to him to treat the matter with urgency, order his officials to inspect the mess immediately, and take strict action against the contractor they hold responsible for the alleged negligence.
Why Is The Local Administration Silent?
With the health of students living in a government-run institution allegedly being compromised, parents and residents are now questioning why the local administration has remained inactive, and whose backing has allowed the contractor to continue operating unchecked.
Tukaram Mundhe’s Recent FDA Crackdowns
Since taking charge as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner in May 2026, Tukaram Mundhe has driven an aggressive, high-visibility enforcement campaign — over 1,131 inspections, roughly ₹49.57 crore in food products seized, and 56 restaurant licences suspended, as of early August 2026.
Several actions specifically involved insects, pests or rodents:
| Date | Establishment | Issue Found | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early August 2026 | IIT Bombay Hostel 1 & Hostel 3 canteens | Operating without valid FSSAI registration | Canteens ordered shut; improvement notice issued to caterer for Hostels 12, 13, 14 |
| June 30, 2026 | Hotel Gopalkrishna, Santacruz East | Rats found inside kitchen | Licence suspended |
| June 30, 2026 | Karak Enterprises, Andheri | Severe cockroach infestation in kitchen/storage | Licence suspended |
| June 30, 2026 | Madras Diaries, Bandra; M.K. Bakery, Borivali; Hotel Shrikrishna, Bhandup | Hygiene lapses, production amid dust/debris, unhygienic refrigeration | Licences suspended (part of same 6-establishment sweep) |
| July 2026 | Park Inn by Radisson, Navi Mumbai | Two insects found in kitchen | Licence suspended; later restored by Bombay High Court, which called action disproportionate |
| July 30, 2026 | Bombay High Court’s own canteens | Operating without valid FSSAI licence | Two canteens shut, a day after HC criticised FDA for selective raids |
| 2026 | MLA Hostel canteen, Mumbai (Ajanta Caterers) | Stale food complaint by legislator, escalated to assault | Caterer’s licence suspended, service ordered to cease |
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