Misuse of Power in Darshan Ticket Distribution

  • During the five-year tenure of YSRCP government, there had been some serious misuse of break darshan tickets in Tirumala.
  • Then Thithide chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy is accused of granting tickets for a darshan in a jiffy to many without proper discretion.
  • Vigilance reports show that about 4 lakh break darshan tickets were issued during the Subba Reddy regime. He issued on average 273 tickets daily.
  • Recommendation letters by former ministers and public representatives issued the tickets as reportedly, there is a preferential treatment towards particular communities.

Procurement Scams

  • As Vigilance enquiries found severe corruption in procuring the prasad materials like rice, jaggery, sugar, ghee, cardamom, and cashew nut, etc
  • Manipulation of the procurement cycle is also reportedly noticed:
    • ​Purchases were made when the prices were high, while very minimal procurement occurred when the pricing was low.
    • Quality goods tenders were still ignored and substandard supplies were taken in, thus incurring financial losses to Thithide.

Demolition of Inns

  • Sri Govindarajaswamy and Sri Kodandaramaswamy Inns that hosted more than 1,800 devotees a day were demolished during Bhumana Karunakar Reddy's chairmanship.
  • Despite recommendations from experts to renovate, it was decided to demolish the buildings and sanction a Rs. 600 crore construction project for new hostels.
  • Vigilance reports indicate unnecessary demolition, no expert consultation, and possible corruption in the project.

Irregular Allocation of Funds

  • Significant irregularities in funding engineering works were pointed out:
    • Funds were disproportionately allocated for construction projects, which exceeded budgetary allocations.
    • Some of the significant projects undertaken include the construction of two hostels at a cost of Rs. 600 crore, other works in SWIMS, roads, and wedding halls.

Suspected Financial Misappropriation

  • Investigations into foreign currency theft from Parakamani revealed the possibility of officials' collusion.
  • Earlier inquiries into the mismanagement of offerings at command control centers did not give any conclusive results.
  • The government has been suggested to start a CID investigation into these financial irregularities.

Irregular Appointments

  • Several appointments done during the tenure of YSRCP were termed as irregular:
    • ​Reddeppareddy was reportedly appointed as BIRD director, who was unqualified.
    • Jayachandra Reddy's appointment as the Special Officer of Balaji Institute of Oncology and his position in SVBC was termed unauthorized.

Srivani Trust Mismanagement

  • Allegations of financial irregularities in the Srivani Trust emerged:
    • ​A file proposed a limit of Rs. 25 lakh for temple construction, but money up to Rs. 35 lakh was sanctioned for some temples.
    • Sums overestimated as grants brought heavy losses for Thithide.

Government Reaction and Future Course of Action

  • Vigilance and Enforcement agencies have completed their probe and submitted reports to the government
  • The government is said to be getting ready to take corrective steps, which could even be a legal case against the erring officials.