TTD to launch digital platform to buy its laddu ingredients worth Rs 700 crore

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is preparing to introduce a digital e-procurement platform for the first time to streamline its purchasing system, under which it procures materials worth nearly ₹700 crore every year.

The initiative comes in the aftermath of the laddu ghee adulteration row, with the Tirupati trust rolling out a series of long-term reforms aimed at addressing loopholes in the procurement process and ensuring greater transparency and accountability at all levels.

TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary held a series of meetings with Government of India officials associated with the launch of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The discussions centred on creating a dedicated e-marketplace portal for the trust, enabling reputed vendors from across the country to directly supply quality products in a transparent manner.


Speaking to The Times of India, Chowdary said TTD spends around ₹700 crore annually and procures more than 70 essential items. Nearly 30 key commodities—including ghee, Bengal gram dal, jaggery, cashews, almonds, raisins, cardamom and black pepper—are used in the preparation of the sacred laddu and other annaprasadams.

Based on the recommendations of an expert panel comprising Dr C. Anandha Rama Krishnan of CSIR-NIIST, N. Purna Chandra Rao, Joint Food Controller of Andhra Pradesh, and senior principal scientist Dr D. Usha Rani of CSIR-CFTRI, TTD has been strictly implementing all norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for procuring ingredients used in temple offerings since June last year.

“As per the revised guidelines, all tenderers will have to submit the lab reports obtained from NABL-accredited and FSSAI-notified labs with NABL scope along with their tender documents. To balance ease of procurement without compromising on the quality parameters, TTD will soon launch its own e-procurement portal,” Chowdary said.

He added that the new platform would also help address concerns related to corruption and transparency. “We are trying to plug all possible loopholes in the procurement systems by enabling the vendors from all over the country to apply for TTD contracts digitally in an utterly transparent manner,” he noted.