Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has launched an ambitious sanitization initiative aimed at revitalizing the quality of food offerings at the revered Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. This move comes in response to allegations that the previous YSR Congress Party government compromised the sanctity of the temple by serving inferior ‘Prasadam’ to devotees.
A Call for Accountability
Naidu emphasized the critical need for high standards in the food distributed at the temple. “We will not tolerate any irregularities,” he declared, vowing to uphold the temple’s sanctity through rigorous testing and oversight of all offerings.
Recent investigations have unveiled shocking claims of subpar ingredients used in the preparation of ‘Prasadam.’ “We have gathered substantial evidence that points to the use of low-quality materials, and strict actions will be taken against those responsible,” Naidu noted during a press briefing.
Corruption Allegations Resurface
Accompanying Naidu, IT Minister Nara Lokesh expressed deep concern over the decline in quality during the previous administration, specifically highlighting issues with the iconic Tirupati laddu. Lokesh alleged that corrupt practices tainted the temple’s food offerings, citing the use of adulterated ghee.
“Upon taking office, we appointed a new executive officer with full authority to implement necessary reforms and address past discrepancies,” Lokesh stated. He confirmed that new measures are now in place to ensure the quality of all food items served at the temple, including thorough testing of ingredients.
Testing for Quality Assurance
Lokesh revealed that samples of ghee were sent for analysis to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) laboratory, with alarming results. “The tests indicated the presence of lard, beef fat, and fish oil in the ghee used for Prasadam,” he claimed. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food quality for devotees, ensuring that the offerings reflect the temple’s revered status.
