SRIVANI trust curbs middlemen in Tirumala, says TTD EO

 TIRUPATI: Sri Venkateswara Alayala Nirmanam (SRIVANI) Trust, formed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in 2019, has been offering a one-time VIP break darshan to devotees who donate ₹10,000 to the trust. In the process, the trust has raised ₹880 crore in donations, apart from curbing black marketing of darshan tickets and countering the influence of middlemen, who also made money on the side.

TTD Executive Officer (EO) A.V. Dharma Reddy said the trust’s main aim is to promote Hindu Sanatana Dharma and greatness of Lord Venkateswara. This is done by constructing new temples throughout India and renovating old temples.

Dharma Reddy said owing to these aims, SRIVANI has become one of the most successful trusts that administer temples. He disclosed that so far, more than 9 lakh devotees have contributed ₹880 crore to the trust since its inception.

Responding to the monthly dial-your-TTD-EO programme in Tirumala on Sunday, Dharma Reddy responded to calls emanating from Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Mancherial in Telangana. The callers sought that dilapidated temples in their respective areas be refurbished. The EO assured them that a team of TTD officials will visit the respective locations for verification and further action.

He explained that temple construction is carried out through various channels, including TTD, AP Endowments Department, village committees, and Samarasata Seva Foundation (SSF).

However, Dharma Reddy said, some vested interests are misleading people alleging that SRIVANI funds are being diverted and that the devasthanam is not issuing correct receipts to donors.

“These claims are completely baseless. Since 2019, approximately nine lakh devotees have received darshan under the trust. We haven't received a single complaint from any of these devotees," he maintained.

Regarding a complaint from a caller about fast-food outlets charging exorbitant rates along the pedestrian routes and in Tirumala, he said the trust is considering a proposal to provide free anna prasadam to visiting devotees.