Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : A Joint Action Committee (JAC) has demanded the cancellation of a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) issued by the Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development Department for empanelment of suppliers of essential veterinary medicines and instruments, alleging that the tender violates constitutional provisions and the state government’s procurement policy.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Friday, JAC chairman Rei Taha said the committee has submitted a representation to the Secretary of the department seeking immediate cancellation of the NIT dated June 30, 2026, issued vide No. AHV/12011/03/2026-27.
Taha alleged that the tender was legally untenable as it was issued by the Director of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development without being expressed in the name of the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, as required under Article 299 of the Constitution of India.
He claimed that all government contracts executed under the executive power of a state must be made in the name of the Governor and by authorised persons. Since the NIT was allegedly not issued in accordance with these provisions, the committee termed it “illegal and non-est.”
The JAC further alleged that the tender contravenes the state government’s notification dated August 19, 2020, issued by the Chief Secretary on behalf of the Governor, which promotes the “Vocal for Local” and “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
According to the committee, the notification mandates that procurement of goods and services should be carried out locally through the normal tender process, while procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) should be resorted to only when the required items are unavailable locally.
However, the committee alleged that the department bypassed the policy by inviting sealed tenders from reputed companies, authorised suppliers and manufacturers from outside the state for empanelment of suppliers of essential veterinary medicines and instruments.
The committee claimed that such a move deprives local entrepreneurs of the opportunity to participate in the tender process and defeats the objective of encouraging indigenous businesses.
Demanding corrective action, the JAC urged the government to cancel the existing NIT and issue a fresh tender inviting eligible local entrepreneurs to participate in the empanelment process for the supply of essential veterinary medicines and instruments.
The representation has also been forwarded to the nodal officer concerned for examination and further necessary action.
