A.P. Assembly to discuss Tirumala adulterated ghee issue on February 24

Amid the controversy over the alleged supply of adulterated ghee used in the preparation of prasadam at the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala between 2019 and 2024 during the YSRCP’s tenure, the Andhra Pradesh government is considering bringing in a law to protect the sanctity of the TTD administration.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu decided to take up the issue for an extensive discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday, sources at the CMO said.

According to a decision taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in the Assembly on Monday, the House will hold a four-hour debate on the alleged supply of adulterated ghee to the Tirumala temple.

The Assembly will cancel the Zero Hour after the Question Hour on Tuesday, and the discussion will be held from 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ten MLAs from the TDP, Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the BJP are expected to speak on the issue.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan is likely to participate in the debate and the Chief Minister is expected to make a statement.

The government has decided to tighten the TTD norms. Officials have been instructed to strictly enforce the rule requiring non-Hindus to submit a declaration before having darshan of Lord Venkateswara.

Further, the government is contemplating a special legislation for the TTD on the lines of the law governing the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which empowers authorities to initiate criminal action against those who violate temple regulations.

The Chief Minister has directed the officials to immediately study the provisions of the Act as part of efforts to frame a similar law for the TTD.

Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council on Monday decided to take up a discussion the adulterated ghee issue on February 26.

Leader of the Opposition and YSRCP leader Botcha Satyanarayana alleged that the government was saying one thing in the BAC and another on the floor of the House.

In response, Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav said the government had maintained the same stand both inside and outside the House and was ready for a discussion on the issue.