Agartala, 9th September 2026 : Serious allegations have once again surfaced over catering and food services at Sonartori State Guest House and Agartala Circuit House. This time, a subcontracting agency has reportedly informed the authorities in writing of its decision to withdraw from catering and food services, alleging that the principal contractor failed to make payments in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
A letter in this regard has reportedly been sent to the District Magistrate and Collector of West Tripura and the Chief Executive Officer of the agency managing Sonartori State Guest House.
According to the letter, the concerned agency had been providing catering and food services at Sonartori State Guest House and Agartala Circuit House as a subcontractor under PRAGYAN from the beginning. However, it has alleged that the principal contractor violated contractual conditions relating to payments. Consequently, the agency has decided to discontinue catering and food services during the 2026–27 financial year.
The agency has also claimed that it had deployed trained and experienced personnel to maintain service standards. According to the letter, skilled staff played an important role in maintaining food quality, hygiene and service standards for government guests.
The letter has, however, raised a series of larger questions: How did PRAGYAN secure the contract to provide services at the government guest house? If questions exist regarding the tender process, what is the legal validity of the subsequent subcontracting and payment arrangements?
The controversy reportedly dates back to the tender process conducted in March 2026. The office of the District Magistrate of West Tripura had invited bids for food, catering, housekeeping, laundry, manpower and other services at Sonartori State Guest House.
According to allegations, OPEN NSS quoted the lowest rate of Rs 300 per plate, while Hero Deep quoted Rs 500 per plate and PRAGYAN quoted Rs 800 per plate.
This has raised the key question of why PRAGYAN, which allegedly quoted a substantially higher rate, was awarded the work instead of the lowest bidder.
Complainants have further alleged that the then CEO of Sonartori was sent on leave during the tender process, allegedly paving the way for PRAGYAN to receive the contract. When other bidders reportedly sought clarification from the West Tripura District Magistrate, they were allegedly told that there was an “order from above”.
The authenticity of these allegations, including the identity of the person or authority allegedly issuing such an instruction, needs to be independently established.
Allegations of political influence have also surfaced in connection with the award of the contract. At the centre of these allegations is Chandan Debnath, then in-charge of the BJP Tripura Pradesh IT Cell and currently a general secretary of the party.
It has been alleged that PRAGYAN became involved in the operation on the basis of a licence and agreement with Debraj Restaurant and its owners. According to the allegations, Debraj Restaurant was effectively operating the catering services at the government guest house on behalf of PRAGYAN through a subcontracting arrangement.
However, the relationship is now reportedly strained. The concerned letter allegedly raises complaints of violation of contractual payment conditions. It has also been alleged that, following the financial dispute, Debraj Restaurant decided to end its business relationship with PRAGYAN.
The authorities have reportedly been informed of the decision through letters sent to the West Tripura District Magistrate and the CEO of Sonartori.
This raises another important question: If Debraj Restaurant has withdrawn from providing services under PRAGYAN, who is currently operating the catering and food services at Sonartori on behalf of PRAGYAN? Has fresh approval been obtained? Did the tender conditions permit subcontracting? After Debraj Restaurant’s withdrawal, on what rules and approvals is PRAGYAN continuing the service?
There are also allegations that after Chandan Debnath assumed an important organisational position in the party, he stopped being directly involved in the business and instead operated it through individuals considered close to him. The names of Sonartori manager Liton Mitra and Chief Minister’s CA Kamal Mallick have also surfaced in the allegations.
However, these allegations require independent verification, and the views of Chandan Debnath, Liton Mitra and Kamal Mallick are necessary before the allegations can be treated as established facts.
Another important issue concerns the eligibility criteria specified in the tender. Questions are being raised over whether PRAGYAN actually fulfilled all the conditions and qualifications required under the tender.
If the lowest bidder was rejected in favour of a higher bidder, what was the written justification? What recommendation did the tender committee make? Who gave the final approval? Did the relevant documents contain any special relaxation or exemption?
Most importantly, was the service at the government guest house directly awarded in accordance with tender rules, or was a subsequent subcontracting arrangement used to operate the services?
The administration now faces the responsibility of answering these questions.
There is a demand that the West Tripura District Magistrate examine the entire matter on the basis of official records, including the tender process, the decision to award the contract to PRAGYAN, the alleged “order from above”, subcontracting arrangements, financial transactions with Debraj Restaurant, the payment dispute and the legality of the services currently being provided.
This is not an ordinary private establishment. Sonartori State Guest House and the Circuit House are government facilities visited by ministers, government officials and other important guests. Therefore, transparency and adherence to rules at every stage of the tender and service process are of particular importance.
The concerned agency has reportedly claimed that it had already informed the authorities on June 23, 2026, about its decision to discontinue the catering service. With the latest formal communication announcing withdrawal, the issue has assumed fresh significance.
With allegations ranging from the rejection of the lowest bidder and alleged political influence to subcontracting, payment disputes and the continuation of services, the entire process at Sonartori State Guest House now warrants a transparent examination.
The question is whether the administration will make the relevant documents public and answer these questions—or whether the tender controversy surrounding the government guest house will remain hidden behind the alleged “order from above”.
