Ghee Supply Has Been An Issue At TTD Since Long - Here's All About It

The key to the scandal at the Tirumala temple lies in the ghee used in preparing the laddus. Notably, ghee supply has always been an issue at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

Here’s a timeline of ghee procurement at the Tirumala temple:

February 2023: TTD Procures 10 Lakh Kg of Agmark-Grade Ghee

TTD resolved to procure 10,00,000 kg of Agmark-grade cow ghee from dairies within a 1,500 km radius of Tirumala. The goal was to prevent procurement delays, reduce transportation costs, and support local dairies.

A multi-vendor contract system was introduced, and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder after negotiations.

June 2023: 42 Truckloads of Ghee Rejected for Poor Quality

Over the course of a year, TTD rejected 42 truckloads of ghee for failing to meet its stringent quality standards. A multi-disciplinary committee, along with a senior chemist from CFTRI, tested the ghee and found issues such as adulteration with vegetable oils. TTD also faced accusations from KMF regarding the procurement of low-quality ghee from other sources.

August 2023: 'Discontinued Supply', Says KMF; 'Only Once In 20 Years', Says TTD

KMF Chairman Bheema Naik announced that the federation has stopped supplying the ghee to the temple in Andhra Pradesh.

Naik explained that while KMF is known for the quality of its Nandini brand products, it could not compromise on pricing and therefore chose not to participate in the tender process required by the TTD. "About one year ago they (TTD) called for a tender and asked us to participate in the tender. We cannot give ghee at the competitive rate, because in the e-procurement tender, whoever quotes the lowest rate will get it." “But our rate is fixed. We said we will supply ghee at our rate, but they (TTD) said they won't give that amount. So we are not supplying.” 

However, the TTD hit back at Naik's statement. TTD Executive Officer Dharma Reddy called Naik’s statements false and said that KMF has not supplied ghee for laddu preparation for the past 20 years.

Reddy further stated that KMF had provided ghee to the temple only once during this period.

July 23, 2024: TTD Forms Committee for Ghee Quality Assurance

In response to ongoing quality concerns, TTD formed a four-member expert committee to oversee the purchase of high-quality ghee. One supplier was blacklisted for providing substandard ghee, and the committee was tasked with improving procurement standards and conducting rigorous tests for adulteration.

September 2024: Andhra CM Naidu Says Animal Fat In Laddu

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu alleged that ghee used in the prasadam at the Tirupati temple during the previous YSR Congress Party's tenure was adulterated with animal fat.

A day later, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkatararamana Reddy made public copies of a document which he claimed was the report of the tests conducted on the prasadam at the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat.

This document says that the ‘sample’, which in the current case is the Tirupati prasadam, did indeed contain beef tallow, lard, and fish oil.