TTD Chairman Rebuts Allegations of Ghee Supply Bias

In the midst of escalating political tensions between the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regarding the supply of ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), chairman B.R. Naidu has asserted that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is the predominant supplier, fulfilling 62% of the TTD's total ghee requirements. Naidu's comments serve to counter allegations from the YSRCP suggesting that the Indapur Dairy, based in Maharashtra, secures contracts predominantly during TDP's governance. He cited the procurement data for the upcoming year, emphasizing KMF's substantial role in the dairy supply chain for TTD.

Naidu elaborated on the procurement process, revealing that the TTD trust board, in response to concerns raised by millions of devotees regarding the quality of the sacred Tirupati laddu—reported to have suffered due to adulterated ghee during previous regimes—implemented stringent guidelines for sourcing pure cow ghee. Under the newly established protocols, TTD conducted seven rounds of tenders, attracting bids from several reputable national dairies, including KMF, Mother Dairy, and Indapur Dairy. Naidu noted that KMF emerged successful in four tenders, ultimately supplying 50 lakh kg of ghee, a figure that underscores the trust's commitment to quality and transparency.

Diving deeper into the allegations against Indapur Dairy, Naidu clarified that the dairy only qualified for two of the seven tenders, securing a modest order for 10 lakh kg of ghee. This counters the narrative that Indapur Dairy's participation is contingent on political cycles, as they had engaged in multiple tenders during the YSRCP’s tenure from 2019 to 2024. By providing such detailed procurement statistics, Naidu aims to debunk the myths surrounding the dairy supply process and reinforce the integrity of TTD's operational decisions, which he claims are now more transparent and community-focused than ever.

Addressing concerns regarding fluctuating ghee prices, Naidu dismissed allegations of price gouging within the procurement system, asserting that prices are influenced by various market factors and are aligned with the benchmarks set by the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India and the Indian Dairy Association. His stance reflects a broader commitment to ensuring fair pricing and high-quality standards amidst a climate of scrutiny and political rivalry, reinforcing TTD's objective to serve its devotees with utmost integrity and respect for the sacred traditions of worship at Tirupati.