Tirupati laddu row rages, Centre seeks report

NEW DELHI: Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Friday said he had spoken to Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and sought a report on the Tirupati laddu issue.

Nadda said the matter would be examined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and suitable action taken.

Naidu had earlier said animal fat was used for making Tirupati laddus during the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government, triggering a massive political row, with YSRCP accusing the CM of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gains and TDP circulating a lab report to back the claim.

Nadda said, "I got to know about the issue through social media. I spoke to Chandrababu Naidu today and asked him to share the available report so that I can examine it. I will also speak to the state regulators and take their views."

"The report will be examined, and suitable action taken within the legal framework and regulations under the FSSAI. The FSSAI will examine it, give a report and then we will act," he added.

Union food minister Prahlad Joshi has also called for an investigation into the allegation, which has sparked concern among devotees.

TN co: Didn’t supply adulterated ghee
Tamil Nadu-based A RDairy Food Pvt Ltd has refuted charge that it supplied adulterated ghee to Thirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) following allegations that the ghee used to make Tirupati laddu contained animal fat.
Company officials said the ghee supplied by them was tested before despatch and tested by TTD too, adding they have sent all test reports to temple authorities after the row erupted. The company’s contribution in the ghee suppy is 0.1% of the ghee procured by TTD, an official said.

Lawyer files plaint with MHA against Jagan, TTD officials and contractor
A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a complaint with the home ministry, as well as with the directors general of police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, against former Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, TTD officials, and a contractor alleged to have supplied adulterated ghee to the Tirupati Temple.

The advocate said the accused parties are responsible for undermining the religious integrity of the temple through their alleged involvement in the matter. (AGENCIES)

YSRCP neta seeks judicial probe into row, HC to hear petition on Sept 25
Andhra Pradesh HC has agreed to hear a petition filed by senior YSRCP functionary Y V Subba Reddy on Sept 25 over the Tirupati laddu controversy.

Subba Reddy sought to file a lunch motion petition on Friday to unearth the truth behind the controversy. The court said it will hear the petition on Wednesday. “Let this be investigated by a sitting judge of the high court or let the HC constitute a committee or let it be done by the CBI,” said Subba Reddy’s counsel P Sudhakar Reddy.

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