The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the adulteration in ghee used to prepare 'prasadam Laddus' for the Tirupati Devasthanam. The constitution of the SIT comes two days after the announcement was made by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in this regard.
The members of the SIT are:
- Guntur Range IG Sarvashrestha Tripathi (IPS)
- DIG Gopinadha Jetty
- SP Harshavardhana Raju
CM Naidu on Sunday, announced to constitute an SIT from his Undavalli residence highlighting concerns over the quality of ghee used for making Tirumala’s renowned laddu prasadam, including allegations that animal fat was involved.
He had said, "The SIT, led by an IG-level officer or higher, will thoroughly investigate the misuse of power and submit a report. The government will take stringent action to ensure such incidents do not occur again."
What did YSRCP say on SIT formation?
Senior YSRCP leader and former irrigation minister Ambati Rambabu reacted to the SIT probe calling it insufficient. He demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. Rambabu addressed a press conference and said, "The chief minister's decision to order an inquiry through a DIG (IG) was laughable and insufficient... SIT probe is inadequate, the issue should be investigated under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court."
Santhi Homam held at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam
Naidu had also announced a ritualistic purification ceremony, Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana, which was held on Monday at the Srivari temple to address the desecration. He further accused the YSRCP of lowering procurement standards for ghee, reducing the supplier's required experience from three years to one, and lowering the minimum turnover from ₹250 crore to ₹150 crore.
Notably, the allegations were first levied against the YSRCP regime by CM Naidu. He said that ghee was of inferior quality which included beef and lard (pig fat). The issue took a more serious turn when the TTD reported findings from lab tests indicating the presence of lard (pig fat) and other impurities in the ghee. TTD Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao confirmed that animal fat was detected in multiple samples, leading to immediate action against the contractor supplying the adulterated ghee.
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