HC makes stinging remarks against Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam administration

A Division Bench of the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh High Court today termed the non-implementation of food prices that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) administration fixed for hotels operating out of Tirumala a farce..The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili was hearing a PIL alleging that hoteliers who won tenders to operate establishments around the hill shrine were flouting pricing norms for food items fixed by the TTD with impunity, and in collusion with officials. The Bench observed,.“The board outside says 10 rupees, the man inside says nothing doing 100 rupees. This is a farce.”.The Court also reminded the standing counsel for TTD that everyone was aware of what was happening at Tirumala..“We are not living in ivory towers here”, the Bench observed..An affidavit filed by the Executive Officer of TTD on the action taken by the administration in dealing with violations was also not to the satisfaction of the Court. The Bench stated that the only information that the report provided pertained to the penalties levied on violating vendors..The Court asked the TTD what action had been taken insofar as the licenses of these vendors was concerned, and also asked what action had been taken against errant officials whose duty it was to ensure that the prices fixed were enforced..The Bench had initially directed that the officer who was present at today’s hearing be present on the next hearing on Tuesday, November 7, but later waived the necessity of a personal appearance. This, after the standing counsel assured the Court that the TTD would prove its bonafides in tackling the issue, by way of filing an affidavit by the date of next hearing..Bar & Bench accessed a copy of the PIL, in which the petitioner has alleged that pilgrims being overcharged is just one of the many instances of norms being violated..A number of establishments, which have permission to operate as shops have morphed into fast food joints, without the requisite clearances. The petitioner also alleges that errant eateries, don’t display a price list of items that are permitted to be sold in some cases, while others have structurally altered buildings, while yet others have erected scaffolding, which obstructs foot traffic to and from the busy shrine at Tirumala..The Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala, which is administered by the TTD board, is considered one of the richest shrines in the world..Image Courtesy: TTD website.Click here to download the Bar & Bench Android App