Andhra Pradesh: More shocking details have emerged in the Tirupati Laddu controversy with sources saying that Srivari Laddu Prasadam offered at Tirumala Temple had come under the scanner many times during the five-year rule of the YSR Congress Party government.
The governing body of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), led by its former Executive Officer Dharma Reddy had allegedly received several complaints about the taste, smell, and spoilage of the laddu prasadam previously.
However, none of the concerns were heard by the temple administration or government. Reddy is said to be the YSRCP leader and MLA YS Jagan Reddy’s close associate.
The fresh revelations come days after an investigation by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) found that the ghee used in the prasadam was adulterated with vanaspati, vegetable, and animal fats.
Former TTD governing body chairman YV Subbareddy attempted to justify the actions, stating that 60 kg of pure desi cow ghee was purchased daily from Rajasthan at Rs. 1,667 per kilo.
However, thousands of kilos of ghee used for making laddu prasads were bought at a significantly lower rate of Rs. 320 per kilo. This also raised strong suspicions of adulteration.
Producing one kg of cow ghee requires 17-18 litres of milk, costing at least Rs. 720, experts said, adding that the market price of buffalo milk is even higher, making it almost impossible for companies to supply pure ghee at Rs. 320 per kilo.
Another shocking fact came to the fore that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which supplied ghee to TTD for 50 years, was sidelined by the previous governing body due to its higher price quote. Its president Bhimanayak too had warned that supplying pure ghee at the quoted price was impossible.
After the adulteration was established by the NDDB reports, devotees were outraged, demanding severe punishment.
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