Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena has come under scrutiny after submitting a ₹1.22 lakh bill to the General Administration Department for a Holi lunch hosted at the state-run Hotel Holiday Home in Shimla on March 14. The event, attended by IAS officers and their families, occurred ahead of Saxena’s scheduled retirement on March 31, which was subsequently extended by six months.
The submission of the bill for an event perceived as a personal gathering has raised questions about the appropriate use of public funds. While official events are typically financed by the state, the nature of this gathering—celebratory and involving families—has led to debates within administrative circles about its classification.
Saxena, a 1990-batch IAS officer, assumed the role of Chief Secretary on December 31, 2022. His tenure has been marked by significant administrative decisions, including the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and addressing environmental concerns in the state. His extension beyond the original retirement date was seen as a move to maintain continuity in the state’s administration.
The Holi event, held at a government facility, was attended by several senior officials and their families. According to sources within the administration, such gatherings, while fostering camaraderie among officers, are generally considered personal and are not typically financed by the state exchequer. The decision to forward the bill to the GAD has thus sparked discussions about precedent and propriety.
In the broader context, Saxena’s actions are being examined against the backdrop of his application for the position of Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority . The post has been vacant since December 12, 2024, and Saxena’s candidacy is among several from both serving and retired bureaucrats. Observers note that the outcome of this application could influence perceptions of his administrative decisions during the extended tenure.
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