TIRUMALA: Putting an end to the controversy over the proposed auction of its “unviable” properties, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board of Trustees on Thursday resolved not to sell any properties of Lord Venkateswara or the TTD, including those donated by devotees.Disclosing this after a marathon meeting of the TTD Board in Tirumala, TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy said in view of the controversy racked up over their review on how to deal with the previous board’s decision to auction “unviable” properties and also following Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s directions, the Board passed a resolution that no properties, including those offered by devotees, would be sold henceforth under any circumstances.
To safeguard properties donated by devotees that are found to be unviable, the board resolved to form a committee with Board Members, elders (swamijis, peetadipathis) of Hindu Dharma, intellectuals and devotees. “The committee will explore ways to protect such properties and how best to utilise them,” the TTD chairman said. Offering a clarification on the proposed auction of “unviable” properties, Subba Reddy said the resolution for this was passed by the previous Board, and the present Board only reviewed its status. “However, it was turned into a controversy with an intention to malign the TTD and the State government.
Why was there silence till the present Board reviewed the issue? Why it was not raised all these years? It was not our decision, but we had to face criticism. Hence, the Board unanimously resolved to ask the State government to order a probe to find those behind the conspiracy, be it individuals or political parties, and take action against them,” he said. Explaining the other resolutions passed by the Board, Subba Reddy clarified that the Board has not given permission to build guesthouses on a nomination basis in Tirumala. “In fact, such a decision was taken by the previous government. As directed by our Chief Minister, we decided to give permission for guesthouses through a donation scheme, an old practice followed for years, in a transparent manner. A resolution to this effect was passed,” he said.
TTD board plans to start children’s hospital
The TTD chairman said none of those guest houses are new, but in a dilapidated condition. The TTD wrote to the donors of such guesthouses to bring the issue to their notice, and some came forward to renovate them. Only those in need of repair will be renovated through the donors scheme, giving an opportunity to everyone eligible. Stating that since the bifurcation of the state, Andhra Pradesh does not have a children’s hospital like Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad, the TTD chairman said that on the Chief Minister’s request, the Board resolved to start a children’s hospital, which will temporarily be either in the BIRRD or SVIMS. He pointed out that the TTD gave Padmavati Hospital to be used as a district Covid-19 Hospital.
The TTD Board also resolved to direct TTD educational institutions to commence online admission for the ensuing academic year. With regard to the recommencement of Darshan in Lord Venkateswara Temple, the TTD chairman said the issue was discussed at length and it was resolved that as soon as the lockdown is lifted and the Central government issues guidelines, steps will be taken to provide darshan of Lord Venkateswara. “In fact, TTD is getting ready to providing darshan while maintaining social distancing and other safety protocols,” he explained.
HC ASKS TTD TO EXPLAIN NEED TO SELL LAND
AP High Court on Thursday asked the TTD to explain why it decided to sell lands given by devotees. Dealing with a PIL filed by J Amarnath, a BJP leader from Anantapur district, the Division Bench of Justice AV Seshasai and Justice B Krishnamohan served notices to the TTD Executive Officer to explain the need for the TTD to sell the land. The court posted the matter for further hearing after the court commences after the summer vacation.