Can Close Relatives Of State's Executive Head Be Awarded Govt Contracts? Supreme Court Seeks CAG's Response
Live LawThe Supreme Court while resuming its hearing in a SLP raising allegations regarding awarding of government tenders by the state government of Arunachal Pradesh, a decade ago, directed the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to inform the Bench on the following points: “Whether very close relative to the Executive Head of the State can be awarded Government contracts; In the event this question is answered in the affirmative, what would be the norms for awarding contract to such persons.” This order has been passed in pursuance to the last order wherein the Court expressed its intention to seek assistance from the CAG in the matter without impleading him as a party. It may be recalled that the present SLP stems from the allegations that contracts were given by the state government of Arunachal Pradesh without floating any tender. During the hearing, Senior Advocates Rajiv Dutta and Vikas Singh, appearing for the present Chief Minister, submitted that the questions asked by the Bench are hypothetical in nature nevertheless, the Court was categorical in receiving views of the CAG on the aforementioned two points and posted the matter on November 21, 2023. Imperatively, in the earlier proceeding, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, filed a sealed cover report before the Top Court.
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