A political storm has erupted in Andhra Pradesh following a claim by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that previous governments used animal fat in Tirupati's laddus. He stated that the previous government, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, used substandard materials and animal fat in making laddus, even desecrating the sacred Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati.
The TDP has exhibited a laboratory report allegedly indicating the presence of “animal fat”, “lard” (related to pig fat), and fish oil in the supplied ghee. The sample was taken on July 9, 2024, with the lab report released on July 16.
AajTak Possesses the Ghee Tender Copy
This revelation has sparked questions: Was the ghee tender awarded to blacklisted companies an oversight or a deliberate flouting of rules? AajTak has obtained the tender copy, revealing that conditions were violated and ghee wasn’t sent for testing. Clause 80 of the tender mandates an NABL certificate for each batch of supplied ghee.
Moreover, according to clause 81, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) must send ghee samples for lab testing. Questions arise as to how the adulteration wasn’t detected in previous samples between August 2023 and July 2024 from the blacklisted company. Did TTD fail to send samples for NABL/lab testing? Or did the blacklisted company fail to provide the NABL certificate for the contaminated batch?
Source: aajtak
Naidu's Allegations against Jagan Mohan
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. Addressing a public meeting in Prakasam district, Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous government of purchasing substandard ghee at cheap rates, affecting the quality of laddus and damaging TTD's sanctity.
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He said, “We have now replaced the ghee supplier. We began buying Nandini brand ghee from Karnataka. People are saying their sentiments were hurt (after accusations of adulterated ghee and animal fat in Tirupati’s laddus). With hurt sentiments, should I let the culprits go? Especially when unforgivable errors were committed? People hold their religions dear.”
TTD’s EO Rao said, “All four sample reports yielded the same result, prompting us to halt supply immediately. The process to blacklist the contractor has begun, and penalties will be imposed. The legal process will commence now. We attribute the quality decline to the absence of an in-house lab, sending samples to external labs for testing, and the lack of proper rates. Suppliers exploited these gaps by supplying ghee priced between 320 and 411 rupees per kilogram.”
July 2023:
KMF raised Nandini ghee prices.
July 2023:
Nandini confirmed that tirupati laddus would no longer use their ghee since TTD included a new Tamil Nadu company in its panel, offering ghee at lower rates. Subsequently, AR Dairy Food (Tamil Nadu) was contracted to supply ghee for laddus at 320 rupees per kilogram.
June 2024:
The TDP government appointed JS Rao as TTD executive officer.
July 2024:
NDDB Calf reported on ghee samples, identifying adulteration with beef fat, fish oil, and lard (animal fat). Following this, AR Dairy Food’s contract was revoked.
August 2024:
Nandini was contracted at 470 rupees per kilogram.
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Company's Defense
AR Dairy Products said the issue arose in June and July. “We only supplied 0.1% to the Tirupati Temple. After acceptance, we delivered four tankers (of ghee), and payment was made. They disputed the fifth tanker, which we have contested. We send tankers only after verification by NAPL labs and certification by Agmark authority. This issue is being politicized. Though 10 tons are required daily, we aren’t supplying even 0.1%.”
The report doesn’t name us; it cites other reasonsThe company added, “The report includes other potential causes, like feed or animal medicine. The lab report should be read closely. Our name isn’t mentioned, but it includes other causes. It was a closed subject, observed technically. The issue has resurfaced following the report. We deny the allegations and challenge the report.”
