BJP leader files PIL against TTD's allocation of funds for Tirupati sanitation
Bhanu Prakash argued that TTD received substantial offerings from devotees
TIRUPATI: State spokesperson for the BJP and a former trust board member of TTD, Bhanu Prakash Reddy, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the AP High Court, challenging the TTD trust board decision to allocate funds for the sanitation needs of Tirupati town.
The TTD decision was to earmark funds for MCT to address the growing sanitation challenges in the temple city, in view of the daily influx of over 1 lakh pilgrims and other visitors.
Bhanu Prakash argued that TTD received substantial offerings from devotees. “Utilizing this fund for municipal sanitation is not only against law but it also disrespects the sentiments and devotion of the Hindu devotees,” he said.
He contended that the TTD board approved the allocation of Rs 100 crore per year for the sanitation and cleanliness of the roads and colonies in Tirupati. “This decision violates the law and the guidelines set forth in the Section 111 (2) & (4) of the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, which govern how TTD funds should be managed,” he argued.
Highlighting the significant financial resources of TTD, including an annual income of approximately Rs 1,200 crore from Hundi offerings, over nine tonnes of gold reserves and fixed deposits of Rs 14,000 crore in various nationalised banks, Reddy asserted that the TTD has a paramount responsibility to utilise these funds carefully for religious purposes.
“If the funds are allowed for purposes other than those specified in law, it could lead to financial difficulties for the TTD in the future,” he said.
He said MCT has a revenue surplus budget for 2023-24, to the extent of Rs 4,983.51 lakh and a capital surplus of Rs 252.17 lakh. He requested the HC to intervene and stay the allocation of funds for sanitation in Tirupati.