TIRUPATI: For the first time, there is over `12 crore in the Parakamani of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The amount in coin currency got accumulated in the last 15 to 18 months. On learning about this, TTD Trust Board Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav visited the coin currency chest on Thursday, and immediately called the Finance Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer. He questioned the reason for the pile up and what steps had been taken to clear it. The TTD Chairman instructed that within one month, all the piled up currency should be cleared and if required with the deployment of additional staff for the purpose.
“Already the concerned authorities are drawing additional work force even from Srivari Sevaks, bank employees and that too young staff for disposal of coin currency, why the pile up of coins,” he said. The usual practice is counting the coins dropped in the temple Hundis on the same day. With devotees visiting Tirumala shrine in large numbers and the common pilgrims offering their donations in small denominations may have led to the large pile up of coin currency.
In many homes across the Southern States, common people have a habit of keeping part of their daily earnings for the Lord and bringing the savings along with them and depositing the same in the temple Hundi when they pay their obeisance.At present, the Hundi offerings in coins are in huge quantity. The TTD administration has to calculate and send the money to be deposited in the banks, which will also help in circulation. The exact reasons for the massive coin pile up are unknown.