Apr 18, 2025 12:16 PM IST
Prabodh Saxena, who was due for superannuation on March 31, was given a six-month extension. His time period was prolonged whereas the retirement social gathering was on.
The BJP mentioned the alleged ₹1.22 lakh invoice for a Holi social gathering hosted by Himachal Pradesh chief secretary Prabodh Saxena and despatched to the state’s common administration division (GAD) for cost is a violation of “ethical conduct and administrative decorum”.
Himachal Pradesh chief secretary Prabodh Saxena has stirred up an issue by elevating a invoice of ₹1.22 lakh with the overall administration division for cost for a Holi social gathering he hosted. (HT file photograph)
An argument erupted when a replica of the invoice issued by Resort Vacation Dwelling of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Growth Company surfaced on-line, with the opposition BJP terming it a “wastage of government money”.
On March 14, lunch and snacks had been organized for 75 friends, which included IAS, IPS and IFS officers and their households, as a part of Saxena’s retirement social gathering. The invoice included bills incurred on lunch for 22 drivers and different employees, the copy of the invoice posted on social media confirmed.
The chief secretary was not accessible for remark.
Saxena, who was due for superannuation on March 31, was given a six-month extension. His time period was prolonged whereas the retirement social gathering was on.
BJP MLA Bikram Singh, in a press release, mentioned: “It is clear that this is a gross violation of democratic spirit, ethical conduct and administrative decorum. When the state is in debt of ₹1 lakh crore, then such events show that the government and bureaucracy have no concern with the problems of the common people.”
Singh, a former minister, mentioned this was “a neglect of workload and financial discipline” in addition to a violation below the Central Civil Companies (Conduct) Guidelines, 1964.
MLA and BJP chief spokesperson Randhir Sharma additionally questioned how the cash-starved state can afford such extravagance.
