TTD Ghee Probe Finds Major Procurement Lapses
One-man panel blames administrative failures for adulterated ghee used in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam
- Government panel flags serious irregularities in TTD ghee procurement
- Administrative failures enabled adulterated ghee supply
- Tender norm relaxations and weak oversight under scrutiny
- Report may trigger action against officials and committee members
GG News Bureau
Tirupati, 2nd May: A government-appointed inquiry committee has uncovered major administrative and procedural lapses in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) ghee procurement system, holding weak governance and flawed tender processes responsible for the supply of adulterated ghee used in the preparation of the temple’s Laddu Prasadam.
The probe, led by retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar, was launched after laboratory reports confirmed the presence of non-dairy adulterants in ghee samples.
The committee found that procurement failures extended beyond quality control shortcomings and were rooted in systemic weaknesses, including irregular tender relaxations, poor enforcement of procurement norms and inadequate scrutiny of suspiciously low bids.
According to the report, crucial procurement decisions were taken without full committee participation, undermining transparency and due process.
Investigators said these governance gaps allowed suppliers to bypass safeguards, ultimately compromising the sanctity and quality of the prasadam.
The report also raised concerns over delayed responses despite prior evidence of adulteration.
The findings are expected to intensify political scrutiny, with the Andhra Pradesh government likely to pursue action against responsible officials and procurement committee members.
The controversy has become a major governance issue, given Tirupati’s religious significance and the public trust associated with temple offerings.
Officials are now reviewing the committee’s recommendations for further legal and administrative measures.
