TIRUPATI: Following the call given by TTD EO A.V. Dharma Reddy, the TTD workforce volunteered to participate in the ‘Sundara Tirumala-Suddha Tirumala’ programme on Sunday to transform the hill shrine into a green and garbage-free environment, providing a healthy and divine ambience to visiting devotees.
Speaking to reporters after participating in the Tirumala cleaning volunteer programme along with TTD deputation workers, the TTD EO stated that Sulabh International staff in Tirumala had gone on strike since April 22 without informing TTD management. However, the undeterred TTD management had worked for a week to keep the hill temple clean by deploying sanitary staff from Tirupati, Nellore, and Chittoor Municipal Corporations, he added.
He said that out of the 8,000–10,000 permanent and contract employees, nearly 600–700 were allotted cleaning duty on deputation at Tirumala, which also included EO, JEOs, CVSO, Deputy EOs, Superintendents, Clerks, lecturers, teachers, and doctors on a three-term per month schedule.
He said besides the TTD employees, the Srivari Sevaks had also responded to the appeal to participate in the cleaning programme as part of their service to Sri Venkateswara Swamy. The EO said the crisis was being resolved by issuing work orders to five different agencies, which were now recruiting sanitary workers from several districts. The TTD has provided adequate salaries and all perks, including Srivari Darshan, Laddu Prasadams, etc.
He complimented the media, TTD employees, including the teaching faculty from various educational institutions, and Srivari Sevaks, who supported the TTD during the high time and for their voluntary participation in the ‘Sundara Tirumala-Suddha Tirumala’ programme.
Earlier, the EO launched the cleaning programme at CRO, district collector Venkataramana Reddy at Lepakshi Circle, and JEOs Sada Bhargavi at old Annaprasadam, V. Veerabrahmam at Vaikuntam Queue Complex, CVSO D. Narasimha Kishore at GNC, CE C. Nageswara Rao at Silathoranam, and FA and CAO O. Balaji at Narayanagiri Gardens with the help of Srivari Sevaks.
