Chief Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam has asked Special Chief Secretary, Revenue (Land and Endowments), Manmohan Singh, to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the reported lapses in releasing and transportation of the gold of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). He was asked to submit a report with critical appreciation before May 23.
The Special Cheif Secretary was also asked to find out the specific lapses, if any, on the part of the Punjab National Bank and the TTD. Mr. Manmohan Singh would enquire into the issues such as whether there were any written instructions issued by the Executive Officer (EO) of the TTD, the role of TTD Vigilance wing, special care and monitoring by the Vigilance personnel.
Mr. Subrahmanyam ordered the inquiry following reports in the media that proper procedure was not followed in the transportation of 1,381 kg of gold belonging to the TTD. The static surveillance team of the Election Commission of India seized the gold on April 17 a day before the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu. It triggered speculations over the gold belonging to the TTD.
