Sat Sep 21 08:18:38 UTC 2024: ## Tirupati Temple Laddu Controversy Escalates, Politicians Trade Accusations
**Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh:** A controversy over alleged animal fat found in laddu sweets served at the renowned Tirupati temple has escalated, with political leaders trading accusations.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of “unpardonable mistakes” for allegedly awarding a contract for ghee supply at a suspiciously low rate, leading to the adulteration. Union Health Minister J P Nadda has sought a report from the state government and will take action if necessary.
YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy countered Naidu’s accusations, calling them a diversionary tactic to deflect attention from the TDP government’s poor performance. He claims the controversy is fabricated to distract from the public’s dissatisfaction with the government’s unfulfilled promises.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the temple, confirmed that four ghee samples tested positive for animal fat. The TTD executive officer J Syamala Rao stated that the previous government awarded the tender to a company at a suspiciously low price of Rs 320 per kg, compromising the quality of the ghee.
A R Dairy Food Private Limited, the company under scrutiny, denied the allegations, claiming that the NDDB lab test report did not conclusively identify their product as the source of the adulterated ghee. The company also pointed out that traces of foreign fat can be found in ghee due to cow feed.
The TDP spokesperson, Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, echoed the Chief Minister’s allegations, stating that the previous government’s decision to choose the lowest bidder resulted in the compromised quality of the ghee.
Following the controversy, the TTD has canceled contracts with the previous suppliers and has re-engaged the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to supply ghee. The TTD is also planning to set up its own adulteration testing lab.
The controversy has created a political storm, with both parties accusing each other of using the temple for political gain. The incident has also raised concerns about the quality of food served at religious institutions and the need for stricter quality control measures.
First Piper 