Tirupati: For the first time in the history of the wealthy Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, five of its employees were suspended by the temple administration for misappropriating the amount derived from the sale of TTD’s calendars.
The action has been taken almost two years after the misappropriation of Rs 8 lakh, which took place in the financial year 2011-12. According to TTD sources, an assistant, junior assistant, two attenders and a packer in the sales wing of the publications and public relations department of the TTD are responsible for the misappropriation of the money, which was discovered during an audit.
However, lower level employees are saying openly that the scam needs to be more thoroughly probed as lower-level employees have become the scapegoats and the big fish have escaped yet again.
There was a similar development back in 2008, when close to 300 five-gram gold dollars were misappropriated.
An investigation into the role of 18 officials, some of the rank of special grade deputy executive officer had been ordered. However, lower rank employees were held responsible.
