TTD committed to crack down on the misuse of VIP recommendation letters

TTD is reported to have readied a list of the VIPs whose names have been used for seeking special privileges for darshan and accommodation at Tirumala

In what can be termed as a decisive move, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to crackdown on the rampant misuse of recommendation letters of the elected representatives seeking special privileges for darshan and accommodation at Tirumala.

The TTD has identified that the letters of some public representatives like MPs, MLAs, MLCs, cutting across political lines, besides a couple of ministers were being highly misused.  Though it remains yet to be established whether the misuse of the privilege was being done with or without the knowledge of the political leaders, preliminary indications unfortunately suggest their involvement in a number of cases.

It is against this backdrop that, TTD has readied a detailed list of violators and is set to submit it to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu seeking his intervention in the issue.

Talking to The Hindu, TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary said that the administration is committed to act tough against the misuse of privileges which has an adverse impact on the image of the institution. Though ensuring a hassle-free and faster darshan is our priority, maintaining the sanctity and serenity of the town/place is also equally important, he added.

While MLAs, MLCs, MPs and the State ministers are entitled to recommend darshan for six individuals a day, they can avail 10 tickets in case they come personally. With an intention to facilitate darshan for common pilgrims who throng in large numbers during the weekends, the TTD imposed restrictions limiting the acceptance of the recommendation letters to the first four days of the week.

However, it was found that some of the leaders allegedly exploited their VIP status, by stationing themselves at Tirumala for multiple days and claiming tickets under false pretexts. Investigations by officials have also revealed cases where the representatives misrepresented outsiders as their ‘family members’ and secured tickets for them. In some instances the officials also found the VIPs availing tickets for multiple sevas in a single day. 

The newly-appointed board members are no exception. The temple administration has also taken a serious view of the growing number of instances wherein some of the newly appointed board members were demanding more tickets under dubious pretenses despite the enhancement of their quota from 10 to 20 tickets a day.

The TTD has also flagged the misuse of recommendation letters issued by high-profile officials, which are allegedly sold at exorbitant prices in the black market.

Of late, the preferential treatment meted out to the VIPs has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, as common pilgrims are subjected to grueling waits stretching for hours — and sometimes the queue stretches kilometres — all for a chance to have a glimpse of the presiding deity.

While the devotees aspiring online tickets are restricted from availing from the facility for another 30 days of their booking of darshan tickets, those attending the arjitha sevas are barred from availing any seva ticket for the next 90 days. 

The TTD which is crumbling under the pressure of mounting public outrage and calls to curtail undue privileges extended to VIPs has decided to take up the issue to the notice of the Chief Minister Naidu and seek his guidance.

Published - December 17, 2024 05:39 pm IST