Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams recently faced criticism from various sections after the management failed to provide security for jewels at a sub-shrine inside the Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati.
The TTD has in its fold the famous abode of Lord Venkateswara and 32 other main shrines across the country. Though the temple management has a vast security network entrusted with the key role of looking after security and vigilance-related aspects at all TTD shrines, it is saddled by inadequate budgetary allocations and manpower shortage.
There has been strong criticism of inadequate budgetary allocation for TTD’s vigilance and security wing in every budget.
It seems the temple management is never bothered about upgrading its security by enhancing allocation of funds to the security wing.
According to reports, in TTD’s recent grand Rs 3,116 crore budget for 2019-20, the spend on security has been trimmed from Rs 128 crore last fiscal to Rs 116 crore. The overall spending on security is close to 3 per cent of the budget, proof that the trust board was sidelining the trust board.
“A minimum of 5 to 6 per cent of the total budget should be allocated to the vigilance and security department every year to ensure that the best of the security apparatus is in place and for upgrading as well,” a senior TTD security official said on the condition of anonymity.
“A majority of the total allocation was being spent on salaries and wages for staff. The remaining amount is very little for upgrading security apparatus.”
The department also faces severe manpower shortage. In 2011, approval was given for vigilance and security wing to have a total strength of 3,000 people. But at present there are only 2,250 employees, including permanent, outsourced and on-deputation staff in the wing.
As the temple management is busy building and acquiring more temples and other developments, the existing manpower is inadequate to provide security at all the places.
