TTD Begins Revamp After Purchase Scams

TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has initiated restructuring of its procurement wing following a series of scams linked to the purchases made by the temple administration in recent years.

The decision comes amid ongoing investigations into the laddu ghee adulteration case and the irregularities in the supply of silk dupattas, among others, which placed the TTD purchases under close scrutiny.

According to officials, the temple’s procurement wing currently handles purchases worth `700-`750 crore annually, a massive increase from about `100 crore in the late 1990s. Despite this expansion in the financial volume and complexity, the sanctioned staff strength remained largely unchanged for three decades.

This imbalance, officials claim, has put pressure on existing systems, weakened effective supervision and encouraged corruption.

TTD executive officer Anil Singhal has recommended an increase in the staff strength after review meetings identified acute shortages as a key issue affecting oversight and control. The devasthanams has now decided to strengthen the procurement wing by adding manpower and tightening internal checks.

For long, certain temple functionaries who oversaw the purchases were keen on handling all the work without additional staff in view of the gains they likely made from their daily chores.

Parallel to the manpower review, the TTD trust board has ordered a complete reshuffle of employees working in procurement-related roles. Internal assessments revealed that several staff members had continued in the same positions for long years.

TTD chairman B.R. Naidu noted on Wednesday that such extended tenures were in violation of service rules. Rules require transfers every two or three years. The failure to enforce these norms increased the risk of familiarity, diluted accountability and made the system vulnerable to corruption and other irregularities.

The internal review followed a string of procurement-related controversies, including the laddu ghee adulteration case and the silk dupatta supply issue. Both these, as also similar other cases, are under investigation.

The TTD is considering issuing a general order to fix a maximum tenure for employees in the procurement wing, with mandatory transfers after completion of the term. Naidu said the steps are aimed at restoring transparency and strengthening accountability in the TTD’s procurement processes.