IPS officer Sarvashreshth Tripathi to head SIT for probing Tirupati laddu case
Vigilance Probe Reveals More Adulteration, Purchase Scam
AMN
The Andhra Pradesh government has formed a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IPS officer Sarva Shreshth to investigate the adulteration of ghee used in the ‘laddu prasadam’ of Tirumala Temple.
Meanwhile more disturbing details have come to the surface about the Tirupati Laddu controversy at Tirumala Temple. The investigation by the Vigilance and Enforcement Department of Andhra Pradesh revealed that not only the ghee but cashews, yams and raisins used in the Srivari prasadam were “inferior and adulterated.”
The probe also pointed to the alleged scam in the purchase of many items and “misappropriation of funds” in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) trust during the YSR Congress Party government. It alleged that the temple exploited loopholes in the procurement process and purchased substandard goods at inflated prices from favourite or known suppliers.
The vigilance department found that the then TTD governing body and the procurement committee would ignore the quality and standard size of the food and other items. The leniency allowed the suppliers to send stale and substandard goods. The department will likely submit the probe report to the government within a week.
The TTD is also accused of diverting funds meant for the restoration and renovation of temples for political purposes at the behest of YSRCP as most of the work orders were given before the elections. At least 63 temples have been allotted up to Rs. 35 lakh while the rules allow for a maximum of Rs. 25 lakh to be given to other temples. It is known that funds have been released to some of the completed temples.
Earlier AP food safety authorities have sprung into action, inspecting major temples to check the quality of food and prasadam offered to the devotees. This follows allegations about use of adulterated ghee for laddu preparations at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, suspected use of animal fat in it, etc. Inspections are done on the temples that are equipped with kitchens for preparation of food and prasadams. Food inspectors and assistant food controllers are visiting select temples for the inspections.
Jagan Cancels Tirupati Visit Amid Faith Declaration Demands
Former CM and Opposition YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has cancelled his planned visit to the Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara Temple, sources close to him said on Friday. His much hyped Tirumala tour was announced as part of the YSRCP’s call for prayers in temples to atone for TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s ‘sin’ through his allegations on the quality of Tirupati laddus.
Sources close to Reddy confirmed that his visit to the hill shrine has been cancelled, but did not immediately divulge the reason behind the decision that came just a couple of hours before he was supposed to depart to the temple town.
The cancellation of Reddy’s visit came amid demands by NDA allies in Andhra Pradesh that he should declare his faith before entering the temple . At a press conference, Reddy said everyone in the country knows his religion and he has visited Tirumala temple several times even before becoming the CM. He said though he reads the Bible within the four walls, he respects Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism.
Reddy said TVs are showing that thousands of police personnel were deployed in Tirupati to prevent his leaders from going to the temple. “In order to divert the failures of his (Chandrababu Naidu) 100 days rule and to divert attention, Chandrababu Naidu brought up the Laddu issue. To cover up his failures on the Laddu issue, he came up with the faith declaration issue. He intentionally planted seeds of doubts on the Laddu quality,” Reddy said.