So far, 436 citizens have died due to spurious liquor in the state: As many as 837 methanol companies will be investigated by the FDA in a fortnight.

Recently, 24 people were killed in a lynching incident in Pune. Methanol is used in this poisonous liquor. Newly appointed commissioner of food and drug administration Tukaram Mundhe has now turned his front towards companies producing methanol. With the sale of methanol in handkilns going on unabated across the state, Mundhe has now started a probe into companies producing methanol. Alcohol contains ethanol, which is not particularly harmful to life. Methanol and ethanol look the same. Methanol is a toxic chemical used in medicines, paints, cosmetics, rocket fuel, etc. There are 837 methanol manufacturing companies in Maharashtra. According to the Maharashtra Poisons Act, 1972, there is an SOP regarding the storage and sale of methanol. However, methanol is being sold online in the state without any hindrance. Methanol is controlled by the FDA. The control of the furnace is with the excise department. Since 1993, the Parthasarathy Committee has recommended the mixing of colour and bitterness in methanol. A notification in this regard was issued in 2011. However, the chemical companies got a stay from the Bombay High Court. In 2019, the Bombay High Court ordered the sale of coloured methanol. However, the companies challenged it in the Supreme Court in 2019 and got a stay on the Bombay High Court verdict. The methanol controversy has come to the surface again after the Pune lynching tragedy. Therefore, Tukaram Munde has initiated an investigation to see if the methanol manufacturing companies follow the SOP for stock and sale of methanol. The turnover of methanol producing companies is huge. These companies also export methanol. There has been a flutter in the companies as Mundhe has initiated an investigation. The state has the Maharashtra Poisons Act, 1972. Accordingly, there is an SOP for sale of methanol. It should be strictly enforced. There are 837 methanol manufacturing companies in the state. All of them will be investigated by FDA inspectors in the next fortnight. Mundhe has made it clear that the licence of any irregularity will be suspended. SOP for sale of Methanol A license is mandatory for methanol production. It needs to be renewed every year. Methanol can be sold by a representative with B.Pharm, D.Pharm degree. Those who have a license to purchase methanol can sell it. Methanol cannot be sold to a person in excess of a certain quantity. It is mandatory for the manufacturing companies to keep a register of sales. It is mandatory to maintain records of methanol sales, licenses, purchase orders for two years. Accidents caused by methanol In 1968, more than 90 people were killed in Khapoli in Raigad district. In 1991, 91 people were killed in the Chhaya Bar accident at Tardeo in Mumbai. In 2004, 104 people were killed in seven road accidents in Mumbai. In 2009, 10 people were killed in a tragedy at Pali in Raigad district. In 2015, 104 people were killed in an accident at Malvani in Mumbai. In 2017, nine people were killed in a road accident at Pangarmal in Ahmednagar district. In 2026, 24 people were killed in accidents in Pune city.