Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sparked a major political controversy with a statement in which he said that animal fat was used in laddus in Tirupati during the previous government. He claimed that the former YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government did not even spare the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati and used substandard ingredients and animal fat to make laddus.
TDP produced the so-called laboratory report which also claimed the presence of “animal fat”, “lard” (related to pig fat) and fish oil in the given ghee sample. The sample was collected on July 9, 2024 and the laboratory report was dated July 16.
Aaj Tak has a copy of Ghee Tender
After the report came out, some questioned whether the ghee tender was an “ignorant or deliberate exemption” for blacklisted companies. Aaj Tak received a copy of the ghee tender, which raised questions about the procurement process. According to sources, the tender conditions were violated and the ghee was not sent for testing. According to clause 80 of the tender, a NABL certificate must be submitted for each batch of ghee supplied.
Apart from this, as per clause 81 of the tender, ghee samples had to be sent to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) for lab testing. Questions were raised as to why this adulteration was not detected in earlier samples from blacklisted companies between August 2023 and July 2024? Didn’t TTD send samples for NABL/lab testing? Didn’t the blacklisted companies produce NABL certificates for the adulterated batches?
Naidu’s allegations against Jaganmohan
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple. Addressing a public meeting in Prakasam district, Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the previous government procured inferior quality ghee at a cheap price, which affected the quality of laddus and damaged the sanctity of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Also read: What is the truth about ‘animal fat’ in Tirupati Laddus? Under what circumstances can a Prasad sample report be wrong
He said: “Today we have changed the ghee supplier. We have started buying Nandini brand ghee from Karnataka. People are saying that their sentiment (after allegations of adulteration of ghee and animal fat in Tirupati laddus) is that when unforgivable mistakes are made, do I also forgive them (the culprits)?
“Reports from all four samples showed similar findings. Hence, we have stopped the supply with immediate effect. Process to blacklist the contractor has been initiated and penalty proceedings will also be initiated. Legal proceedings will now begin,” TTD EO Rao said. “The reason for the poor quality is lack of in-house laboratory, sending samples to external labs for testing and unjustified charges,” he said. The suppliers took advantage of these shortcomings and supplied ghee between Rs 320 and Rs 411.
When and where did the Tirupati Ladu controversy take place?
July 2023: KMF increases price of Nandini ghee
July 2023: Nandini confirmed that Tirupati laddus will no longer be made with their ghee as TTD has hired a new company from Tamil Nadu which is supplying ghee at a cheaper price, following which AR Dairy Foods (based in Tamil Nadu) was asked to make laddus. A contract for the supply of ghee was awarded under which ghee was supplied at Rs 320 per kg.
June 2024: The TDP government appointed JS Rao as the executive officer of TTD.
July 2024: NDDB Calf reported on ghee samples in which adulterated ingredients including beef fat, fish oil, lard (animal fat) were found. After the adulteration report, AR Dairy Food’s contract was cancelled.
August 2024: Nandini got the contract at Rs 470 per kg.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi’s statement on Tirupati Laddu controversy: ‘The news of Prasad being desecrated is disturbing’
Company quotation: Used for supply after certification
AR Dairy Products said the matter came to light in June and July. We are not supplying even 0.1% to the Tirupati temple. After acceptance, four tankers (of ghee) were given. He paid for it. He complained about the fifth tanker. We challenged this. We dispatch tankers only after testing at the renowned NAPL lab and certification by the Agmark authority. The matter is being politicised. 10 tonnes is required every day. And we are not supplying even 0.1%.
Our name is not in the report, and other reasons are mentioned in the results The company further stated that in the report that has been released, other reasons are mentioned. For example, feed or animal drugs may also cause this to happen. The laboratory report should be read carefully. Our name is not in the report, but other reasons for this result are also mentioned in it. Since this is a closed subject, we are studying it technically. After the report came out, public opinion heated up again. We reject these allegations and question the report.
Follow us On Social Media Google News and Twitter/X