Mumbai, Sept. 28 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that officials of Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are threatening hotels, restaurants and quick-commerce businesses with licence suspension and allegedly extorting money from them.

He also alleged that bribe rates for "closing notices" have increased from Rs.12,000 to Rs.75,000 and even up to Rs.2 lakh since FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe's appointment, as people fear strict action.

In a letter, Raut said that FDA-designated officers, assistant commissioners and food safety officers were misusing their powers and blackmailing business establishments. Raut said several businessmen from Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, Wardha and Chhatrapati Sambha...