16 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of three blood banks in Mumbai after an investigation found that blood donors received wristwatches as gifts at a voluntary blood donation camp. The action was taken over alleged violations of guidelines that prohibit offering gifts or other inducements to encourage voluntary blood donation. The case has raised questions about compliance with blood donation regulations and the responsibilities of participating blood banks.
The blood centres facing action are the Indian Red Cross Society Blood Centre in Mumbai, the blood centre at Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals in Byculla, and the blood centre at B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital in Mumbai Central.
According to reports published on October 14 and 15, 2026, the Indian Red Cross Society Blood Centre received a five-day licence suspension covering October 9 to 13. The blood centres at J.J. Hospital and Nair Hospital received three-day suspensions covering October 9 to 11. However, the latter two centres appealed to the state government and obtained interim stays on the suspension orders.
Blood donation camp promised watches to donors
The case relates to a blood donation camp organised by the Young Star Committee on Altamount Road in Mumbai in April 2026. Promotional material for the event stated that donors would receive wristwatches, reportedly Titan watches, as gifts.
The Maharashtra FDA initiated an inquiry after the distribution of gifts came under scrutiny. Initially, the organisers and participating blood banks said they were unaware that watches had been distributed. However, during the investigation, officials contacted some donors, who confirmed receiving the gifts.
Following these findings, the FDA inspected the three blood centres on August 22, 2026, and issued show-cause notices on September 2. The centres were subsequently given an opportunity to explain their positions during hearings on September 22. The FDA found their explanations unsatisfactory and ordered the licence suspensions under the applicable provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
Why are gifts prohibited at voluntary blood donation camps?
Blood donation in India is intended to be voluntary and free from financial rewards or material inducements. Guidelines issued by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) prohibit gifts and incentives that could influence a person’s decision to donate blood.
The purpose of these rules is to protect the voluntary nature of blood donation and ensure that people donate for humanitarian reasons rather than to receive rewards. Blood centres are expected to follow the applicable regulations and maintain appropriate standards when collecting and handling donated blood.
The authorities have emphasised that even when gifts are presented as tokens of appreciation, their use at voluntary donation camps can violate the rules. Promotional announcements promising gifts may also raise concerns about whether the donation process is being conducted in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
FDA explains its action
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the administration was committed to ensuring that gifts or other inducements were not used to encourage blood donation. He stressed that blood donation is an important act of social responsibility and service to humanity, and that blood banks must comply with the applicable legal provisions and guidelines.
The FDA’s action followed an investigation into the camp and the explanations submitted by the three blood centres. The licence suspensions were imposed on the institutions responsible for collecting blood at the event, while the organisers were warned against repeating the practice, according to the Hindustan Times report.
The case also highlights the importance of oversight at blood donation camps organised in partnership with outside organisations. Blood banks need to ensure that the events they participate in comply with the rules, including restrictions on gifts and other incentives.
J.J. and Nair hospitals receive interim relief
The suspension orders did not remain in effect in the same way for all three blood centres. The blood centres at Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals and B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital appealed to the state government and secured interim stays on the three-day suspension orders.
The Indian Red Cross Society Blood Centre faced a five-day suspension, and reports did not identify a similar stay for that centre. The appeals mean that the regulatory proceedings concerning J.J. Hospital and Nair Hospital have an additional legal and administrative dimension