The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) of Arunachal Pradesh has strongly refuted media reports suggesting irregularities in government contract allocations following a Supreme Court directive seeking details of works awarded between 2015 and 2025. In a statement issued on December 7, the CMO described the reports as “partial” and “unfounded,” accusing sections of the media of highlighting only the petitioners’ allegations while ignoring the state’s submissions before the court.
The controversy stems from a writ petition filed in January 2024 by Voluntary Arunachal Sena and the Save Mon Region Federation, seeking a CBI probe into claims that several contracts—particularly in Tawang district—were awarded to firms allegedly linked to the family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The petitioners produced lists dating back to 2009 and alleged violations of tender norms.
A Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard the matter on December 2 and directed the state to file a comprehensive affidavit listing contract details across all districts. The court noted it would decide on the necessity of an inquiry after examining the state’s submissions.
According to the CMO, the government clarified that the petitioners’ lists were general compilations involving multiple contractors and not exclusive allocations to firms associated with the chief minister’s family. The office said that despite nearly 1,000 contracts amounting to around ₹1,000 crore being cited in the petition, only a small fraction pertained to businesses owned by Khandu’s relatives—and most of these were secured through the tendering process.
The government disclosed that Brand Eagles was awarded 31 works worth ₹18,803.13 lakh between 2012 and 2023, Frontier Associates received 11 works valued at ₹2,158.37 lakh between 2010 and 2014, RD Construction secured 13 contracts totalling ₹2,908.35 lakh between 2010 and 2020, and Alliance Trading Co obtained 91 works worth ₹14,503.89 lakh between 2010 and 2023. The CMO maintained that more than 90–99% of the value of these contracts came through competitive bidding.
During the latest hearing, the petitioners argued that the state had submitted information only for Tawang. However, the government’s counsel clarified that the disclosures were limited to Tawang because the allegations themselves related solely to that district, and the state had complied strictly with the Supreme Court’s earlier order issued on March 18. The counsel also said the government was prepared to furnish district-wise details if required.
The apex court has now asked the government to file an affidavit covering all remaining districts.
In its statement, the CMO accused some media organisations of deliberately omitting the government’s explanations and “echoing narratives influenced by political rivals” aiming to tarnish the chief minister’s image. The office reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and said it would continue to cooperate fully with the Supreme Court’s directives.
