A stagnant State? Promises pile up as Arunachal’s core problems persist

By Neha Desai* 

In the early months of 2026, the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly convened for its fifth session in February, passing a handful of amendment bills that, on the surface, promised administrative refinements. Yet beneath this veneer of legislative activity lies a troubling pattern: a body that appears more adept at symbolic gestures than substantive solutions. As the state continues to grapple with entrenched issues such as corruption, healthcare deficits, unresolved scandals and uneven development, the assembly’s output reveals a worrying inability to tackle the deeper causes affecting millions. Critics argue that these sessions often amount to little more than procedural theatre, allowing the same problems to persist year after year without meaningful resolution.

One of the most serious indictments of the assembly’s functioning is its handling—or lack thereof—of major scandals that have eroded public trust. The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) paper leakage scam, which erupted into public view several years ago, remains unresolved. Despite assurances from the government that justice would be delivered, the issue continues to linger as of February 2026, marking the third anniversary of key developments without closure. For many students and job aspirants, this crisis has become emblematic of institutional failure, leaving a generation of youth disillusioned and sceptical of official promises.

The assembly’s recent sessions have not prioritised substantial investigative reforms or accountability mechanisms, allowing the scandal to symbolise a broader pattern of administrative drift. Allegations of corruption further reinforce this perception. Chief Minister Pema Khandu has repeatedly vowed to adopt an “iron hand” approach against corruption, including the formation of a high-level fact-finding committee to examine discrepancies in land compensation in districts such as Bichom and East Kameng. However, civil society groups such as Arunachal Civil Society (ACS) have raised concerns about growing allegations of corruption, uneven distribution of development funds and misuse of public office. In a press conference in February 2026, ACS highlighted how these issues have steadily eroded public confidence, pointing to complaints that resources are allocated disproportionately and that transparency remains limited. Despite discussions in the assembly on anti-corruption efforts—including references to arrests made since 2016—critics argue that tangible institutional reforms remain absent.

Healthcare presents another stark example of governance gaps. Legislators themselves have repeatedly flagged the stagnation in creating new medical posts, with some pointing out that the process has remained largely unchanged for more than a decade. The resulting shortage of over 200 medical officers in district and rural hospitals continues to leave large parts of Arunachal’s difficult terrain underserved. In a state where more than 80 per cent of the population lives in rural areas, such shortages significantly deepen health disparities. Yet the February session largely focused on relatively minor legislative amendments, such as procedural adjustments to the Panchayati Raj framework, without addressing structural issues like funding, staffing or infrastructure expansion in the healthcare sector.

Similar concerns surround infrastructure and development spending. During question hour, several MLAs raised concerns about insufficient allocations for agriculture, horticulture and road maintenance, particularly under schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Departments frequently cite funding constraints, while legislators complain that essential projects remain stalled. The assembly’s upcoming budget session, scheduled from March 6 to 12, 2026, is expected to debate departmental grants and development programmes. However, observers note that previous sessions have often repeated familiar promises without adequately addressing issues such as uneven fund utilisation, delays in implementation or neglect of border areas. Although there has been some progress on boundary issues and infrastructure initiatives, critics argue that these achievements are often presented as headline successes without fully resolving underlying regional disparities.

The assembly’s record is further complicated by the persistent underrepresentation of women in electoral politics. Despite broader constitutional commitments to gender inclusion, female participation in Arunachal’s political landscape remains limited. This issue, which many believe requires targeted legislative attention, rarely receives sustained debate within the assembly. The situation reflects a broader challenge in empowering marginalised groups, including youth and tribal communities, many of whom continue to face unemployment, limited educational opportunities and skill shortages.

Past institutional crises also illustrate the fragility of governance structures in the state. The political turmoil of 2015–2016, during which the Governor’s intervention in assembly proceedings triggered a constitutional confrontation later addressed by the Supreme Court, highlighted vulnerabilities in the functioning of democratic institutions. Although the immediate crisis was resolved, the episode remains a reminder of how procedural disruptions can undermine legislative credibility. Critics suggest that the assembly has since struggled to reassert itself as a robust forum for policy debate, often becoming preoccupied with procedural matters rather than substantive governance challenges.

Supporters of the current administration point to certain indicators of progress, including claims of significant growth in the state’s gross domestic product and new infrastructure initiatives under programmes such as the Vibrant Villages Programme. While these initiatives are often cited as evidence of forward movement, sceptics argue that they do little to address everyday concerns faced by many residents, particularly in remote districts. The bills passed in the February session—ranging from amendments to staff selection procedures to minor offence decriminalisation and adjustments in local governance rules—may represent incremental administrative changes, but critics say they fall short of the transformative reforms required to address systemic problems.

As the budget session approaches, the assembly faces a critical opportunity to shift its priorities. Whether it can move beyond procedural legislation and confront deeper governance challenges remains an open question. Without stronger anti-corruption mechanisms, sustained investments in healthcare and infrastructure, and more inclusive policies addressing youth and gender representation, Arunachal Pradesh risks remaining trapped in a cycle of incremental change and persistent dissatisfaction. For many citizens, the expectation is simple: an assembly that does more than pass routine amendments and instead delivers policies capable of addressing the state’s long-standing challenges.

---

*Independent writer