Amaravati, Feb 25: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that during the previous government’s regime entire systems in sacred Tirumala Tirupati devastanam were ruined and attacks on temples increased. When he protested over defacing of Srirama idol in Ramatheertham, cases were filed against him. He said that during previous government regime adulterated ghee was supplied to TTD by spending Rs 234 crore and 20.01 crore laddus prepared with adulterated ghee were sold to devotees.
Giving a power point presentation on TTD adulterated ghee issue in state assembly today, the Chief Minister said immediately after the coalition government came to power as a Chief Minister, he signed second signature on revamping the TTD systems and decided to form a SIT to inquire into adulterated ghee issue.However the YCP challenged the decision in Supreme Court and the Supreme court made it clear that there should not be any political interference and ordered to form a SIT and ordered for CBI inquiry on adulterated ghee issue. The CBI submitted a report to state government suggesting corrections in TTD affairs. The YCP filed a petition on one man commission and the petition was dismissed.
The Chief Minister said during the previous government the tender conditions were diluted during January-February 2020 itself. The former chairman of TTD Trust board suppressed the report submitted by Central Food Technological Research Institute on adulteration of ghee during 2022. Instead of taking action against the culprits of adulterated ghee suppliers, the authorities kept quiet. Immediately after the coalition government came to power, as part of revamping the systems of TTD, the Executive officer sent the ghee samples to labs. The National Dairy Development Board in its report stated over presence of animal fat in ghee. The personal assistant of former chairman was also caught while taking bribe of Rs 4.5 crore. The supply of ghee was continued by producing fake documents. The SIT in its investigation noticed using of chemicals in ghee supplied to TTD and suggestion action against the culprits.
While the adulterated ghee supply of TTD is one issue during the previous government’s regime, on the other hand attacks on temples were increased during 2019-24 and attacks on 2032 temples were reported. Besides campaign of other religions were noticed on RTC tickets in Tirumala bound buses. The TTD trust board was used for political rehabilitation. When a theft was noticed in Parakamani, the YCP leaders made a non serious comments and tried to compromise the issue.
The Chief Minister said attacks on Hindu temples started right from the time of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s tenure.Orders were issued by the then Panchayat Raj Secretary to limit the Seven Hills of Tirumala to just two hills when devotees climb Tirumala hills chanting “Yedu Kondalavada Govinda Govinda” how can the sacred Seven Hills be reduced to two? Hindus across the country protested strongly against this decision for two years and due to my struggle and protests from people they were forced to step back.
A fact-finding committee was formed at the demand of Udupi Pejawar Mutt’s Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji.The fact-finding committee, headed by retired Justice Siddappa, submitted a report.The committee revealed that religious propaganda of other faiths was happening in Tirumala and in Tirumala educational institutions and the people of other religions were present in jobs.The committee also stated that liquor and meat sales were taking place in Tirumala. Several Hindu mutts and pontiffs raised serious objections over the issues in Tirumala and wrote
Letters to me as Chief Minister and to the Prime Minister from Sri Raghavendra Mutt, Srichakra Peetham and others.
Previous rulers appointed chairpersons of other religions to TTD trust board, damaging TTD’s prestige.The daughter of the then TTD Chairman married in a Christian ceremony at Medak Church. How can such individuals be appointed as chairpersons?
During the previous regime, an image of Jesus and a cross appeared on the TTD website.Newspapers carried stories titled “TTD in the Service of Jesus.
Regarding false campaign on Heritage, the Chief Minister said
Heritage is his family business and no Heritage products were supplied anywhere in the government.Till now, not even one kilogram of ghee from Heritage has been purchased by any government department.Yet, negative stories were published about the company.Heritage has stood on ethics and integrity without government support.He said attempts were made to link the ghee issue with Heritage Dairy.Heritage collects 2 million litres of milk daily and operates ethically.Indapur Dairy has no connection with Heritage in the ghee issue.Indapur Dairy in Pune does co-manufacturing for many reputed companies.
When milk adulteration occurred in Rajamahendravaram, instead of discussing it, the Assembly was obstructed.The NDA alliance government discussed the incident and took necessary action.
Stating that he agree with Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s comments on protecting Hindu Dharma, the Chief Minister said no one has the right to hurt the sentiments of people of different religions. He said after the coalition government came to power, purification measures began in TTD.The quality of Srivari Laddu prasadam has been improved. Ingredients are procured only after FSSAI certification.
The previous traditional standard of Anna Prasadam has been restored, quality and taste have improved. As many as 98 per cent of devotees expressed satisfaction with the food quality.
Additional milk counters were set up to provide milk 24/7 at queue lines.A modern kitchen facility was made available at PAC-5 Venkatadri Nilayam.Rooms and cottages were centralized and linked with darshan allocation.Regulation of break darshans increased access time for common devotees.
A Command Control Center continuously monitors crowd management.
Queue management systems will be implemented in all temples.
Renovation of 200 temples nationwide has been undertaken.
Arrangements were made to ensure no inconvenience to lakhs of devotees during festivals like Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Brahmotsavams and Ratha Saptami. He said Annadanam program worth Rs 700 crore is being implemented in 60 TTD temples.Special focus has been placed on increasing green cover in Tirumala, including a 3.5-acre Divine Medicinal Garden project.