The BJP has raised strong objections over an alleged bill of ₹1.22 lakh submitted for a Holi party hosted by Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, calling it a violation of “ethical conduct and administrative decorum.” The bill was reportedly sent to the state's General Administration Department (GAD) for payment.
Controversy erupted after a purported copy of the bill, which was issued by Hotel Holiday Home of the HP Tourism Development Corporation, surfaced online. The opposition BJP accused the government of misusing public funds, terming the expenditure a "wastage of government money."
The event, held on March 14, reportedly had lunch and snacks for 75 guests, which included IAS, IPS, and IFS officers and their families, as part of a retirement party for Saxena. The bill also accounted for lunch provided to 22 drivers and support staff, as per the copy of the bill shared on social media.
Chief Secretary Saxena is yet to respond on this matter.
Ironically, Saxena, who was due for superannuation on March 31, was granted a six-month extension in service on the same day the retirement party was held.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Bikram Singh, in a statement, said: "It is clear that this is a gross violation of democratic spirit, ethical conduct and administrative decorum. When the state is in debt of Rs 1 lakh crore, then such events show that the government and bureaucracy have no concern with the problems of the common people." The former minister also added that this was "a neglect of workload and financial discipline" as well as a violation under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964.
Randhir Sharma, MLA and chief spokesperson of the BJP, also questioned how the financially-strained state could justify such extravagance.
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