-Keshav slams TTD for not erecting ‘chaluva pandillu’
-1,500 rooms not allotted in temple town
AMARAVATI: Public Accounts Committee chairman Payyavula Keshav on Wednesday strongly criticised the TTD for not resolving the problems of thousands of devotees waiting for darshan at Tirumala temple.
Keshav asked why the TTD, which had capacity to make facilities for a lakh devotees, did not erect ‘chaluva pandillu’ (cool tents) this summer.
In a video address here, the PAC chairman said the devotees faced more problems as the authorities did not allot 1,500 rooms in Tirumala. The JEO had gone and remained at Vontimitta much ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit there. All wrong decisions were causing needless pain and embarrassment to the devotees.
Keshav deplored that a situation had emerged in Tirumala that all sections cutting across political affiliation should have to join the fight for better deal to devotees. The pilgrims from other States were afraid to even come to Tirumala temple for darshan upon hearing about the prevailing situation. The TTD should initiate measures on a war footing to create facilities to the satisfaction of the devotees.
Meanwhile, TDP senior leader S. Chandramohan Reddy, addressing a separate press conference, said the Government had not yet appointed a full time EO for the TTD. Dharma Reddy has been continuing as a temporary EO even now. Nobody could escape from their fate if they played needleless games with Tirumala deity.
Chandramohan Reddy slammed the Chief Minister for not taking action even though over Rs. 144 Cr of devotees’ funds were diverted in TTD. The CM remained indifferent to the fact that lakhs of devotees were facing problems due to lack of the required facilities during hot summer.
