A political storm has erupted in Himachal Pradesh after a bill of ₹1.22 lakh for a Holi-cum-retirement party hosted by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena was reportedly sent to the General Administration Department (GAD) for payment. The BJP has slammed the move as a gross violation of ethical conduct and a mockery of administrative discipline, especially when the state is battling a staggering ₹1 lakh crore debt.
The controversy broke out after a copy of the bill, allegedly issued by Hotel Holiday Home of the HP Tourism Development Corporation, surfaced online. According to the document, lunch and snacks were served on March 14 to 75 guests, including IAS, IPS, and IFS officers and their families. It also covered meals for 22 drivers and support staff, indicating the scale of the celebration.
Notably, Saxena was due for retirement on March 31 but was granted a six-month extension — ironically, while the retirement party was ongoing.
BJP MLA Bikram Singh condemned the expenditure, stating, “This is a gross violation of democratic spirit, ethical conduct, and administrative decorum. When the state is neck-deep in debt, such extravagance shows sheer insensitivity to the plight of common people.”
Singh, a former minister, further alleged that the act breached financial discipline and contravened provisions under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
Echoing the outrage, BJP chief spokesperson Randhir Sharma questioned how a cash-strapped government could justify such lavish spending at the taxpayers’ expense.
Saxena, meanwhile, has remained unavailable for comment as the controversy continues to fuel public and political backlash.
