NOB- Tirupati news: Srivari Laddu Prasad is considered very popular. It is the most favorite prasad for Hindu devotees. Srivari’s devotees are appalled to learn that ghee adulterated with the fat of bull, pig and other animals was used in such sacred prasad during the previous YSP government. In fact, criticisms and accusations that the taste of laddu prasad has decreased during the previous government’s regime have started. Later, similar allegations and complaints were made in the case of other rice offerings.
At the same time, the Karnataka Milk Federation has alleged that the TTD officials have sidelined them, who have been supplying quality ghee for a long time. At that time, devotees, Hindu dharma pracharaks and opposition leaders could not do anything but express their anger on social media and in the media as the TTD administration went ahead stubbornly. After the formation of the coalition government, the quality of ghee was tested and the adulteration came to light. There is an uproar among the devotees after TDP chief Anam Venkataramana Reddy exposed the objectionable materials along with the report.
Counter-attacks, Cross-border arguments
When the YCP government was formed in 2019, no objections were raised about the quality of Srivari laddoos till February 2020. Since December 2020, after the Covid, there has been dissatisfaction among the devotees. Allegations started that the laddoos did not have the previous taste, aroma or quality. Hindu dharma pracharak Radha Manohar Das first questioned the quality of laddoos on social media. At that time, this topic got nationwide publicity. Since then, many devotees have been complaining about the quality of laddoos and rice prasads in the ‘Dial Your EO’ program. Complaints about the laddoo not being tasty and spoiling within two days have increased. In the case of Anna Prasada, a group of about 20 devotees who dined at the Anna Prasada Satram expressed their anger. “Eating rice is like eating grass. Are we devotees or are we cattle?”, the video of them lashing out at the staff went viral on social media at that time. However, the then TTD governing body rejected it. But CM Chandrababu announced that immediately after the formation of the coalition government, the cleansing of the damaged systems in the state will be started from TTD. As part of this, the new EO Shyamala Rao focused on the quality of laddoos and Annaprasadas, which have been receiving severe criticism from devotees for several years. Five companies including a company from Tamil Nadu have been supplying ghee to Tirumala for past five years.
EO Shyamala Rao had frequent meetings and reviews with Potu workers, Anna Prasad making department workers and officials for a month. What materials are used? How much? Where are you collecting from? How is their quality? What are the quality standards to be followed? were inquired. It has come to his attention that the main reason for the decline in the quality of rice offerings including laddoos is poor quality ghee. To confirm this, the sample of ghee supplied by these companies was sent to the affiliated lab of NDDB in Gujarat for testing. Their report was sent on 8th July 2024 and received on 16th July 2024. The report concluded that the ghee provided by the Tamil Nadu company was heavily adulterated. As a result, the supply of ghee from a company in Tamil Nadu has been stopped. The rest of the organizations were warned to follow the quality. When this matter came to the attention of the government, Chandrababu reacted strongly to it. Action was ordered against those responsible.
On Annaprasad
Even the explanation given by the TTD officials at that time that they were using natural agricultural produce for the preparation of Srivari Anna Prasads, and because of this there was no difference in taste but the quality was not affected, did not satisfy the devotees. It should be introduced only after carrying out necessary tests and taking measures without any difference in taste, aroma and quality. However, the question of how to change the preparation of prasads, considered sacred by crores of people, was not answered by TTD at that time.
Poor TTD argument
At that time, the TTD’s argument against the allegations made by the chairman of the Karnataka Milk Federation and the complaints that the quality of Srivari Prasads had decreased seemed very poor. TTD officials have explained that Karnataka Milk Federation could not supply ghee in adequate quantity and on time to meet the requirements of TTD. TTD has been collecting different quantities of ghee from at least two or three companies at the same time. KMF, which has been supplying ghee to TTD since 2014, has always been supplying ghee in the quantity specified by TTD. As a result, the argument made by the officials in the previous government did not hold up.
Tender for ‘Nandini’ brand ghee in reverse
Karnataka Milk Federation is the most famous organization in the country after Gujarat Anand Dairy. This federation has been supplying ghee to TTD for a long time under the brand name Nandini. Ghee supplied by KMF is renowned for its quality. Even after the YCP government was formed in 2019, KMFY supplied ghee to TTD for some time. But suddenly in 2023 the supply of Nandini ghee was stopped. Karnataka Milk Federation Chairman Bhima Naik alleged that TTD had deliberately sidelined them.
They also said that they are not allowed to participate in the tenders. He opined that since the quality of ghee supplied by KMF is good, it is not in a position to supply it to TTD at a low price, and supplying ghee at a low price means compromising on quality. At that time, TTD officials decided to procure ghee at a low price in the name of reverse tendering. As organizations like KMF were sidelined, there were allegations that inevitably substandard ghee had to be used for making laddoos.
Admist all these it is surprising that officially Andhra Pradesh government and TTD have not announced the adulteration of ghee used in Tirupati prasadam preparations.
