Tirupati laddu row: Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu forms SIT to investigate ghee procurement

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the ghee procurement for Tirupati laddu. Additionally, he ordered an audit of procurement process of raw materials for all temples in the state.


Addressing a press conference, Naidu said, "We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising of officers of IGP and above posts. The SIT will submit a report to the government and we will take action based on that report so that such things are not repeated."

The controversy

Earlier, TDP supemo N Chandrababu Naidu had alleged the previous YSRCP government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in making Tirupati laddu, a consecrated sweet.


The ruling Telugu Desam Party claimed that the adulteration has been confirmed by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory.


Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, on Friday asserted there was presence of 'Lard' (pig fat) and other impurities in the ghee, citing a lab report.

TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao said lab tests had revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in chosen samples and the board was in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied 'adulterated' ghee.

A lab value indicated the sample was adulterated with lard also, Rao said while addressing a press conference in Tirupati.

Meanwhile, the executive officer said that ghee suppliers took advantage of the lack of testing facilities within the temple body, reported PTI. He also said that suppliers have been warned of being blacklisted over the matter.

Calls for prob and reactions

Union Ministers Prahlad Joshi and Girija Singh have called for probe into the matter while Union Minister JP Nadda has asked Chandrababu Naidu for the available report on the allegations.

On the other hand, Amul has addressed social media rumours alleging that it provided ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). In a statement, Amul clarified, “We wish to clarify that Amul has never supplied ghee to TTD.”

In light of the controversy, Transport & Muzrai Minister R Ramalinga Reddy has ordered all muzrai temples in Karnataka to use only Nandini ghee for preparation of prasadam and food served to devotees. Nandini is Karnataka’s flagship dairy brand owned by the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Federation (KMF) and comes next to Amul in market reach and turnover.