Tirupati laddu row: SIT to probe ghee adulteration allegations, 'ritualistic cleansing' at temple on Sept 23

Speaking to repoters amid the row over the use of animal fat in ghee used to make the laddus, Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu announced the formation of the SIT.

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by an officer of Inspector General rank or higher, will probe irregularities in the procurement of ghee and other matters related to the Tirumala temple.

"An IG-level or above officer-manned SIT will be formed. It will investigate all the reasons for power abuse and provide a report to the government. The government will take stringent action to avoid recurrences of laddu adulteration; there is no compromise," Naidu told reporters here on Sunday.

The move comes after TTD executive officer J Syamala Rao submitted a preliminary report to Naidu on the Tirupati Laddu episode on Sunday. After it came to light that cow ghee that was adulterated with animal fats was used to make the sacred Tirupati laddu, Naidu had sought a report from TTD EO.

Naidu said, as per the earlier conditions, the ghee supplier should have at least three years of experience. However, after Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power, it was reduced to one year.

The CM also said that the required turnover of the supplier was also reduced to Rs 150 crore from the earlier Rs 250 crore.

Naidu asked how one can supply pure ghee at Rs 319 when even palm oil is costlier than that.

Talking to reporters, Naidu raised concerns about Tirumala being turned into a centre for political rehabilitation. "The late Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy had fought hard to reduce the seven hills to two. He has expressed his personal faith in Lord Venkateswara since childhood. No one can replicate the Lord's prayer," the CM said.

He criticised the YSRCP government for mishandling the temple affairs after coming to power, accusing them of conducting business on the hill and appointing non-Hindus as TTD chairpersons.

Naidu further alleged that the TTD was used as a political rehabilitation center. He asserted that the YSRCP regime turned TTD board appointments into a gamble, sold VIP tickets arbitrarily, and conducted business on the hill.

The CM also noted that a Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana (ritualistic sanitisation) will be held on Monday at Tirumala to undo the alleged desecrations.