AP Govt Vows Stern Action on TTD Ghee; Panel to Probe Lapses
Commission to examine gaps in SIT investigation, charge sheet, and submitted findings to identify key conspirators.
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has decided to form a short-term administrative committee to identify the masterminds behind the adulteration of ghee used for the Tirumala laddu.
The Cabinet met on Tuesday for nearly three hours, during which ministers discussed the SIT report. It noted that the SIT has recommended action only against the individuals directly involved in the case. Curiously, the investigation team avoided establishing responsibility on any functionary at higher levels.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asserted that protecting the sanctity of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams was the government’s responsibility. He promised stringent action against those responsible for the adulteration done to the Srivari laddu prasadam.
Addressing the media, finance minister Payyavula Keshav said the Cabinet set aside all other agenda items and discussed the SIT report submitted under CBI supervision, as directed by the Supreme Court. He announced the constitution of a short-term administrative committee to comprehensively review the issue and submit a final report to the government within a stipulated time-frame.
The minister said the government received two documents from the SIT — a chargesheet already filed in court and an 11-page confidential report submitted exclusively to the government.
The chargesheet would be available to the government only after the court formally takes cognisance.
According to the SIT findings, serious irregularities occurred in the procurement of ghee for TTD laddus, including dilution of tender norms, quality lapses and submission of forged documents. The report noted that after 2019, unnecessary relaxations were introduced in procurement procedures, allowing substandard supplies.
These relaxations included reducing the eligibility turnover requirement from `250 crore to `150 crore and granting eligibility to firms lacking minimum dairy procurement experience.
Laboratory analysis conducted by NDDB–CALF indicated the possible presence of adulterants such as soybean, sunflower, rapeseed and cottonseed oils, along with fish oil, beef tallow and lard.
The probe also revealed that CFTRI warnings issued in 2022 were ignored and nearly 58 lakh litres of adulterated ghee may have been supplied and used for the laddu preparations.
Several firms secured contracts using false documentation. Senior officials, including A.V. Dharmareddy (AEO), Anil Kumar Singhal (former EO) and O. Balaji (F&CAO) were behind the relaxing of tender norms. They failed in quality control, the probe report said.
The cabinet resolved to initiate appropriate legal and administrative action against the errant and implement institutional reforms to strengthen the quality control mechanisms. It also decided to ensure that political considerations do not come in the way of protecting temple sanctity and devotees’ faith.
Information minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said the cabinet held nearly three hours of discussions, in which the CM and Deputy CM called for strict action.
Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar said, “We condemned attempts to politicise the issue, and stressed on transparency. Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav alleged that the use of adulterated ghee manufactured without milk severely damaged the devotees’ trust in the systems.
