These days, there is an uproar in Andhra Pradesh regarding the ghee used in temples. The opposition is making many serious allegations against the government and the government against the opposition. In this series, Visakhapatnam North MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju has taken a strong stand on the alleged irregularities in the purchase of ghee in temples. He has demanded that its investigation should not be limited to Tirupati only. Rather, it should be done in all the temples of entire Andhra Pradesh. The reality will be revealed only after investigation.
Vishnu Kumar Raju said that if ghee for temples is being purchased at a price of only Rs 319 per kg, then it in itself indicates a big disturbance. He said that the responsibility of the officials making such deals should be fixed. Strict action should be taken against them.
He alleged that action is necessary against all the officials involved in the ghee procurement process. Referring to the previous YSRCP government, he said that former TTD Chairman Y. V. Subba Reddy himself admitted that the ghee was adulterated. But, despite this, no concrete action was taken.
The MLA raised the question that when adulteration had been accepted, then why steps were not taken against the culprits. He also alleged that the Tirupati Ghee issue has not been taken seriously since the beginning. The then Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's family members have also shown negligence in this matter.
Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had also expressed deep grief over this matter. He said that the SIT (Special Investigation Team) report has revealed that the ghee used in the laddu prasad of Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple during the YSRCP government was not genuine. Pawan Kalyan alleged that chemicals and oil made from palm oil were used in making laddus, which hurt the religious sentiments of crores of devotees.
After the order of the Supreme Court, CBI had formed an SIT to investigate this case. Investigation confirmed that the ghee supplied to TTD was adulterated. According to the investigating agency, the role of AR Dairy, Vaishnavi Dairy and Bhole Baba Dairy has come to light in this case.
