Overview

• Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena hosted a Holi lunch on March 14 for 75 guests, including senior officers and their families, at an HPTDC venue in Shimla.
• The event's ₹1.22 lakh bill, which includes food, GST, and expenses for drivers, remains unpaid and is pending with the General Administration Department (GAD).
• The BJP has condemned the bill as a misuse of public funds and a violation of ethical and administrative standards, especially given the state's financial crisis.
• Himachal Pradesh is grappling with over ₹1 lakh crore in debt, with pensions suspended and employee salary liabilities consuming a significant portion of revenue.
• Social media users and opposition leaders have criticized the extravagance, calling for greater transparency and accountability in government spending.