Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Executive Officer, AV Dharma Reddy, has denied allegations from the Telugu Desam about the legitimacy of his appointment, corruption within the TTD and ‘hiding’ of criminal cases.
Refuting the charges from TD spokesperson Anam Venkataramana Reddy, he affirmed that the administrative mechanism in the TTD was absolutely transparent. The EO expressed his willingness to engage in a public discussion to clarify these matters.
Addressing the media in Tirumala on Thursday, Dharma Reddy cited the Endowments Act 107. “The act stipulates that an EO for TTD must have served as a district collector or in an equivalent position, to be eligible for the post.”
Dharma Reddy is a senior civil service officer of the 1991 batch holding a position higher than that of a principal secretary. He said a petition filed against his appointment in the high court was dismissed, solidifying the legitimacy of his position.
Regarding allegations that he hid criminal cases against him, Dharma Reddy said during his tenure as the CEO of Delhi Cantonment Defence in 2014, he took legal action against several illegal constructions. He followed due procedures.
Concerning the private case filed in a local court in 2020, he said a summons was issued, but the higher court subsequently quashed it.
Responding to corruption allegations within TTD, Dharma Reddy presented data indicating significant increases in fixed deposits and gold reserves during his tenure. "During the last four and a half years of my tenure in TTD, the fixed deposits have increased by '4,791.06 crore, and the gold deposits have increased by 3,885.92 kg."
Additionally, he said '1021 crore of funds was deposited through Srivani Trust, preventing potential misappropriation via the VIP break darshan tickets by middlemen.
TTD's fixed deposits in various banks were '13,025.09 crore as of June 30, 2019, and this increased to '17,816.15 crore as of October 31, 2023. Similarly, gold deposits rose from 7,339.74 kg on June 30, 2019, to 11,225.66 kg on October 31, 2023.
Emphasizing transparency in TTD, he highlighted the development of Padmavathi children’s hospital, museum development, and laying out of a 1200-bed hospital in SVIMS with substantial funds.
At a press meet held in Amaravati the same day, TD spokesperson Venkataramana Reddy questioned the basis of Dharma Reddy’s appointment as TTD EO. He alleged that this appointment was based on his proximity to the YSR family. He demanded Reddy's resignation until proven innocent in the alleged case in Delhi.
He also accused TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy of corruption, citing fund diversion for electoral benefits.
