The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a massive statewide inspection drive covering all licensed methanol establishments after the Pune hooch tragedy raised serious concerns over the monitoring and diversion of the highly toxic chemical.

According to the FDA, Maharashtra has 988 licensed methanol establishments, of which 51 are non-operational. As on Wednesday, officials had completed inspections at 226 establishments, while 762 more remain under scrutiny as part of a special statewide audit ordered by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.