The staff shortages at the Maharashtra Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), which is already facing nearly a 50 percent shortfall, are further exacerbated by the assignment of senior FDA officers for upcoming Maharashtra state election duties. With the festival season approaching, which requires additional manpower for inspecting potentially adulterated food, the FDA commissioner has urged the state to release some officials from election duties to effectively manage the increased workload. With the FDA operating with significant staff shortages across Maharashtra, the assignment of all 12 drug inspectors and four drug assistant commissioners to election duties has stretched the organisation thin. Consequently, drug regulation in Mumbai will be virtually non-existent for the next three months, resulting in halted medicine sampling, delayed processing of drug-related applications, and a rise in issues with pharmacies operating without prescriptions, as claimed by the FDA officers. The impending festival season has heightened concerns among officials. “Every year before Diwali, we conduct statewide inspections to ensure the quality of sweets and prevent food adulteration, safeguarding consumers from harm. With our remaining workforce, …