A massive shawl scam has been uncovered in Tirumala.Polyester fabrics were supplied instead of silk garments. The TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) has approved an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
BY RAJA PENTAPATI
AP BUREAU CHIEF
NATIONAL NEWSAmaravati, December 11 (Bharat News) AP
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has responded to the silk garment scam that recently came to light at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). He revealed that ACB officials have started an investigation into the matter of polyester garments being supplied instead of mulberry silk garments.
The continuous scams coming to light at the abode of Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity of Kali Yuga, are causing distress among devotees.
Scams such as theft in the Tirumala Parakamani (temple treasury) and the supply of adulterated ghee for the preparation of Lord Venkateswara’s prasadam have recently come to light. Allegations are rife that TTD funds are being misused on a large scale. In this context, another major scam has been exposed in Tirumala.
The TTD has alleged that a company supplied 100% polyester shawls instead of mulberry silk shawls. It stated that substandard shawls were supplied from 2015 to 2025. It alleged that shawls worth Rs. 350-400 were purchased for a staggering Rs. 1,389 at that time. The TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) has requested the Anti-Corruption Bureau to identify the individuals involved in this scam and take strict action against them.
Devotees who donate to Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala and those who purchase VIP break darshan tickets receive Vedic blessings from Vedic scholars at the Ranganayakula Kalyana Mandapam. During this time, the TTD presents them with silk shawls. For this purpose, the TTD procures silk shawls worth several crores of rupees from time to time.
However, TTD Board Chairman B.R. Naidu recently ordered vigilance inspections to ascertain whether these silk shawls met the standards specified in the tender notification. This led to the unearthing of this silk shawl scam. The tender for supplying silk shawls to Tirumala was awarded to a company called RRS Export of Nagari.
This company has been supplying shawls to the TTD for the past few years. According to the tender specifications, the shawls should be woven entirely with pure mulberry silk using 20/22 denier yarn in both warp and weft. A minimum of 31.5 denier yarn should be used. Each shawl should have the inscription ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya’ in Sanskrit on one side and in Telugu on the other, along with the symbols of the conch, discus, and namam (religious mark). The size, weight, and border design of the shawl were also specifically defined in the tender.
B.R. Naidu alleged that instead of adhering to these standards, the company supplied inferior quality shawls made of complete polyester, thus defrauding the TTD. Subsequently, the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) passed a resolution stating that the Anti-Corruption Bureau should investigate the matter. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said that criminal action should be taken against those involved in this scam.
Bharat News Andhra Pradesh
