Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam owns Rs 9,800 cr properties across India, Nepal
Hyderabad: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has land, shopping complexes and other buildings not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in Nepal, Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Haryana and Odisha.
Endowments Minister Manikyal Rao informed the Assembly during Question Hour on Wednesday on the landed properties.
“The market value of the landed properties owned by the TTD is about Rs 9,800 crore. In all, there is 4,657.51 acres of land belonging to TTD in the then undivided Andhra Pradesh, and another 125.75 acres outside Andhra Pradesh including Nepal and other states in India,” said Manikyal Rao.
However, YSRC members Chintala Ramachandra Reddy and Peddireddygari Ramachandra Reddy said the worth of TTD properties would be over Rs 50,000 crore and that the TTD officials are failing to protect the properties of Lord Venkateswara.
The ministers wanted a House Committee to be appointed to look into the issue as sentiments of crores of devotees from across world over were attached with Lord Venkateswara.
“There are 16,000 employees, three IAS and one IPS officer, a separate law and a property cell in TTD. Yet the TTD officials are failing to protect its properties as the these officers are not concentrating on protection of properties as much as they focus on arranging red carpet welcome for VVIP darshans,” alleged YSRC members.
The members alleged encroachment of land and several properties that were occupied by people from many years and the rent being paid was meagre.
“The TTD revenue can increase by revising the rents,” they said, adding, “Two more IAS officers can be appointed.”
The Endowments Minister said, “As much as 163 acres of TTD land in Tirupati is under encroachment and the government is pursuing it legally to take back the land. Another 150 acres land has been given to Mahila University, and in return the government has given 150 acres at a different place.”
While no assurance was given by the minister on House Committee, he said the government will take all steps to ensure that every inch of TTD land and other properties are protected.
