Tirumala Laddu Controversy: 'The previous government suppressed the report on ghee adulteration,' minister makes a big claim on the laddu controversy.

Regarding the Tirumala ghee and laddoo controversy, Andhra Pradesh Minister Payyavula Keshav claimed that the YSRCP government had altered the tender conditions in 2019. Minister Payyavula Keshav asserted that adulteration of the laddoos began after 2019, and evidence exists to support this claim. It's worth noting that in 2022, ghee samples analyzed by the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru were found to be adulterated. The minister alleged that the previous government suppressed this information. He further stated that the YSRCP lacks faith in Lord Venkateswara Swamy and treated the ghee procurement as a mere commercial transaction, disregarding religious sentiments.

CM Naidu cited the NDDB report

According to the Finance Minister, the report on the ghee samples sent to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) clearly stated that the ghee likely contained animal fat. He mentioned that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had cited this very report.

Jagan government suppressed the adulteration report - Keshav

Minister Keshav further stated that ghee samples were also sent to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru. Their report clearly indicated that the ghee was adulterated. He alleged that the then YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government suppressed this report. He also accused the TTD board appointed by the previous government of altering the tender conditions for ghee procurement, which paved the way for smaller companies with lower turnover to secure the contract.

SIT charge sheet reveals a multi-crore scam - Minister

The Finance Minister said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) charge sheet details a scam of approximately Rs 240 crore related to this ghee adulteration. Furthermore, Keshav alleged that the personal assistant of the then TTD Chairman, YV Subba Reddy, received Rs 4 crore from dairy companies, which was later transferred to other accounts.