India, April 18 -- A lavish Holi party hosted by Himachal Pradesh's chief secretary, with a bill exceeding Rs.1.2 lakh, has sparked controversy.

The event included lunches costing Rs.1,000 per plate for IAS officers and their families, and Rs.600 for drivers, with the government expected to cover the costs, NDTV reported.

The party was hosted at Himachal Tourism's flagship hotel, Holiday Home in Shimla, by chief secretary Prabodh Saxena, who received a six-month extension after being set to retire on March 31.

The Holi party, hosted for around 75 people including officers and their families, saw food costs reach Rs.75,000 before GST. The bill, which also included lunch for 22 drivers at Rs.585 per plate and a taxi fare of Rs.11,800, to...