One-man panel to probe TTD ghee adulteration allegations

The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday constituted a one-man committee comprising retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar to probe the alleged supply of adulterated and substandard ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

A G.O. issued to that effect by Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand said that a case was registered in the Tirupati East police station, which led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of Director of the CBI in compliance with a Supreme Court order. 

The SIT has filed the charge-sheet before the court on January 23 and submitted a self – contained note recommending initiation of suitable action as deemed fit against erring procurement committee members and senior officers of the TTD for the lapses, omissions and failures in the relaxation as well as enforcement of ghee tender conditions.

In pursuance of the matter, the government formed the panel to probe into the allegations and submit a report within 45 days from the date of issue of the G.O. 

The one-man committee’s terms of reference include assessment of administrative lapses, omissions or failures in relaxation and enforcement of the tender conditions, examining whether decisions were taken with due diligence, recorded justification and procedural compliance, identification of the extent of administrative responsibility of officers, committee members or functionaries of TTD in relation to the said lapses, recommending appropriate administrative or disciplinary action, and confinement of the examination strictly to administrative and governance aspects. 

The committee has been authorised to call for records, seek written clarifications, obtain expert assistance with prior approval of the government and take the necessary assistance from the TTD.

It was mentioned that nothing contained in the G.O. was prejudicial to the proceedings in any court of law.