Laddu Quality Has Improved," Says Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Amid Adulteration Controversy
His comments come amid recent allegations regarding the use of adulterated ghee in laddu preparation during the previous YSR Congress government, a claim denied by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On October 4, Naidu welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Devotees of Lord Venkateswara have noted that the quality of laddu prasadam has improved, and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasised on October 5 that this should continue.
During a review meeting with senior officials from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the Venkateswara Swamy temple, Naidu urged them to ensure only the best quality ingredients are used for prasadam.
His comments come amid recent allegations regarding the use of adulterated ghee in laddu preparation during the previous YSR Congress government, a claim denied by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On October 4, Naidu welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with members from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Andhra Pradesh Police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to investigate the alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddu.
The Supreme Court's order on October 3 stated that a five-member "independent" SIT would look into claims of "animal fat" being used in the laddus, replacing the SIT set up by the Andhra Pradesh government on September 26.
The court also emphasised that it would not allow the case to become a political issue.
On September 30, the Supreme Court requested the Andhra Pradesh government to provide evidence that contaminated ghee was used in the prasadam preparation, amidst claims that animal fat was found in the ghee used at the temple.
Senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, representing the TDP, informed the court that people had complained the laddu did not taste right.
Justice B.R. Gavai remarked that when holding a constitutional office, there is an expectation to keep religious matters separate from politics.
On September 19, Chief Minister Naidu accused the previous YSR Congress government of using ghee containing animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddu prasadam.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan criticized former CM Jagan, claiming that the management of temple affairs under the previous government led to various illicit activities that compromised the temple's sanctity.
