Shimla: A controversy has emerged in Himachal Pradesh over an unpaid bill for a Holi lunch party hosted by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena. The party, which took place on March 14 at Hotel Holiday Home, a property under the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), was organized for officers, and the General Administration Department (GAD) was instructed to settle the bill.
The issue has now sparked a rift between the State Tourism Department and the GAD. Approximately 75 people attended the lunch, including 20 IAS officers, their families, and 22 drivers, according to reports.
The bill, which recently came to light, shows that the cost per plate for the officers and their families was Rs 1,000, covering lunch and snacks. The total cost for this amounted to Rs 75,000, with an additional GST charge of Rs 22,350. In contrast, the per plate charge for the lunch served to the 22 drivers was Rs 585, totaling Rs 12,870.
According to a senior officer in the Tourism Department, the bill remains unpaid, with no payment made by the GAD as of yet.
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which condemned the event as a “blatant violation of democratic values, ethical conduct, and administrative decorum.” The matter has gained additional attention as Himachal Pradesh faces a massive debt of Rs one lakh crore.
