Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu says 20.01 crore laddus were made with adulterated ghee during previous regime and cites reports from National Dairy Development Board and CBI
Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu presented a power point presentation in the State Assembly on the adulterated ghee issue linked to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and alleged administrative lapses during the previous government’s tenure.
He stated that during the earlier regime, ghee worth Rs 234 crore was procured for TTD and that 20.01 crore laddus were prepared using adulterated ghee and distributed to devotees. He said the systems of the sacred Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams were weakened and that incidents involving temples increased between 2019 and 2024.
The Chief Minister said that soon after the coalition government assumed office, he signed a decision to revamp TTD systems and ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the adulterated ghee issue. He said the decision was challenged by YSR Congress Party in the Supreme Court, after which the court directed that there should be no political interference and ordered a CBI inquiry. According to him, the CBI submitted a report to the State Government suggesting corrective measures in TTD administration. A petition seeking a one man commission was later dismissed.
He said tender conditions were diluted during January and February 2020 under the previous government. He alleged that a report by the Central Food Technological Research Institute in 2022 pointing to adulteration was suppressed by the then Chairman of the TTD Trust Board. Instead of taking action against the suppliers, authorities did not proceed further, he said.
Naidu said that after the coalition government took charge, the Executive Officer sent ghee samples for laboratory testing. He said the National Dairy Development Board reported the presence of animal fat in the ghee. He further stated that the personal assistant of a former chairman was caught allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4.5 crore and that fake documents were used to continue supply. The Special Investigation Team, he said, observed the use of chemicals in the ghee supplied and recommended action against those responsible.
The Chief Minister also linked the issue to a broader pattern of temple related incidents between 2019 and 2024, stating that attacks were reported on 2032 temples. He alleged that religious campaign material appeared on RTC tickets for buses bound to Tirumala and that the TTD Trust Board was used for political rehabilitation. He referred to a theft incident at Parakamani and said it was not handled with seriousness.
He said that temple related controversies began during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and referred to an order that sought to limit the Seven Hills of Tirumala to two. He said widespread protests followed and that the decision was later reversed.
A fact finding committee was constituted following a demand by Udupi Pejawar Mutt’s Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji. The committee, headed by retired Justice Siddappa, submitted a report stating that religious propaganda of other faiths was occurring in Tirumala and its educational institutions. It also reported the presence of individuals from other religions in certain jobs and flagged instances of liquor and meat sales in Tirumala. Several Hindu mutts and pontiffs, including Sri Raghavendra Mutt and Srichakra Peetham, wrote letters to the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister raising objections.
Naidu alleged that chairpersons from other religions were appointed to the TTD Trust Board during the previous regime, affecting its reputation. He referred to media reports claiming that religious imagery unrelated to Hinduism appeared on the TTD website during that period.
Addressing allegations concerning Heritage, he said the company is his family business and that no Heritage products were supplied to any government department. He said not even one kilogram of ghee from Heritage was purchased by the government and that attempts were made to link the adulterated ghee issue to Heritage Dairy. He clarified that Indapur Dairy in Pune, which undertakes co manufacturing for several companies, has no connection with Heritage in the matter.
Referring to an incident of milk adulteration in Rajamahendravaram, he said the Assembly was disrupted instead of discussing corrective steps. He stated that the NDA alliance government discussed the matter and initiated action.
Naidu said he agrees with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s remarks on protecting Hindu Dharma and added that no one has the right to hurt the sentiments of any religion. He said purification measures were initiated in TTD after the coalition government assumed office and that the quality of Srivari Laddu prasadam has improved. Ingredients are now procured only after Food Safety and Standards Authority of India certification, he said.
He stated that traditional standards of Anna Prasadam were restored and that 98 percent of devotees expressed satisfaction with food quality. Additional milk counters have been set up to provide round the clock service at queue lines. A modern kitchen facility has been made available at PAC 5 Venkatadri Nilayam.
Rooms and cottages have been centralized and linked with darshan allocation. Regulation of break darshans has increased access time for common devotees, he said. A Command Control Center now monitors crowd management continuously and queue management systems will be introduced in all temples.
He added that renovation of 200 temples nationwide is underway and that arrangements were made to avoid inconvenience to lakhs of devotees during festivals such as Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Brahmotsavams and Ratha Saptami. An Annadanam programme worth Rs 700 crore is being implemented in 60 TTD temples. A 3.5 acre Divine Medicinal Garden project has also been taken up in Tirumala to increase green cover.
At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
