CM Blames YSRC for TTD Ruin, Promises Reforms

MD ILYAS |DC
VIJAYAWADA, FEB. 24

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday alleged in the state assembly that nearly 20 crore laddus were prepared in Tirumala using adulterated ghee during the 2019–24 period – when the YSR Congress was in power.
Naidu termed such an act as a “Mahapapam” and an organised conspiracy involving officials and private players.
Participating in a short-duration discussion on the Tirumala laddu issue, the CM made a detailed powerpoint presentation titled “Mahapapam”. He alleged "a systematic dilution of norms" at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams during the YSRC rule.

Naidu explained the alliance government’s reforms in TTD and alleged that the sacred institution’s systems were “ruined” during the five years, and that adulterated ghee worth `234 crore was used for preparing the Srivari laddus.
Some 20.01 crore laddus were prepared using adulterated ghee and these were sold to the unsuspecting devotees, he said.
Naidu recalled that upon assuming office, his “second signature” was on revamping TTD’s systems. “We constituted a special investigation team to probe the ghee issue.”
The Chief Minister alleged that tender conditions were diluted in Jan–Feb 2020 and that the then TTD trust board chairman suppressed a 2022 report by the central food technological research institute, flagging adulteration.
“Instead of acting against the suppliers, authorities remained silent,” he said.
Naidu said, “When we took charge, fresh samples were sent for testing. The national dairy development board reportedly found the presence of animal fat. The SIT also detected the use of chemicals in the ghee.”
He noted that a personal assistant to the former chairman was allegedly caught accepting a `4.5-crore bribe, while the supplies continued on the basis of fabricated documents.
Naidu alleged that between 2019 and 2024, as many as 2,032 attacks on temples were reported across Andhra Pradesh. Even RTC tickets for Tirumala-bound buses carried religious propaganda of other faiths, he said, and the TTD board was used for “political rehabilitation.”
The Chief Minister referred to a controversy during the tenure of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, when attempts were allegedly made to limit Tirumala’s Seven Hills to two — a move he said was withdrawn after widespread protests.
Naidu said, “A fact-finding committee headed by retired judge Siddappa, formed at the insistence of Udupi’s Pejawar Mutt seer Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji, had highlighted concerns over religious activities of other faiths in Tirumala. “Several Hindu mutts had written to me and the Prime Minister on such activities.”
Dismissing allegations linking the controversy to his family-linked Heritage Dairy, Naidu said no Heritage products were supplied to any government department. Attempts to drag the company into the row were “malicious.”
The CM said purification measures have begun in TTD. “The Srivari laddu quality has improved, with ingredients procured only after FSSAI certification. Anna Prasadam standards have been restored, with 98 per cent of devotees expressing their satisfaction. Milk counters now function round the clock in queue lines, a modern kitchen has been set up at PAC-5 Venkatadri Nilayam, and rooms have been centralised and linked to darshan allocation,” he explained.
Naidu stated, “A command control centre monitors crowd management, while the renovation of 200 temples nationwide is under way. Annadanam worth `700 crore is being implemented in 60 temples, alongside a 3.5-acre Divine Medicinal Garden project in Tirumala.”
Affirming his agreement with deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan on protecting Hindu Dharma, Naidu said no one has the right to hurt the religious sentiments of any community.