India, Oct. 23 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected all 102 licensed methanol-related companies in the Pune division as part of a crackdown on violations involving the chemical's storage, handling and sale, officials said on Thursday. Following the drive, 28 licences were suspended and 15 were cancelled.

According to FDA officials, the state-wide inspection drive was launched after the Pune hooch tragedy. The Pune division emerged as a key focus because it has the highest concentration of methanol-related companies in Maharashtra. The FDA has been conducting inspections and tightening enforcement over the past four months, they said.

Girish Hukare, Joint Commissioner, FDA (Drug) Pune division, said, "No cases of illegal m...