Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams JEO K.S. Srinivasa raju on Wednesday ruled out any increase in the price of the famous Tirumala laddu.
Mr. Raju told The Hindu that the price of laddus being provided to various religious and spiritual programmes being organised by private individuals/organisations are only enhanced. The prasadam will be provided at the existing rate at the programmes being conducted by the TTD.
The management normally provides 10 big laddus (₹100 each) 10 vadas (₹25 each) 200 small laddus (₹25) and 1,000 mini laddus at the cost of ₹3.50 each for distribution among devotees taking part in its programmes such as Srinivasa Kalyanam.
The intention behind increasing the price of the laddu and other prasadams being supplied to various spiritual programmes being organised by other institutions is to save the management from bearing the subsidised cost of the prasadam. Why should the TTD bear the subsidy cost? he asked.
The management has been receiving representations from various institutions for the supply of additional quantities of laddus and other prasadams for religious programmes being organised by them in their respective areas. It is for this reason that the management resolved to revise the price of the prasadams being provided to such programmes, which the TTD is in no way connected.
He ruled out any increase in the price of the laddus being sold at Tirumala. The committee formed by the previous trust board had recommended a hike int he price of the famed laddus. The committee in its report recommended scrapping of the subsidy being provided on the laddus in case the management fails to increase the cost, but such recommendations cannot be implemented unless they are ratified by the government, he said.
