Public resentment is rising over the alleged diversion of funds from TTD exchequer due to pressure exerted by public representatives for developmental activities in their respective constituencies.
G. Thippeswamy, MLC from Anantapur district, had reportedly sought ₹10 crore from the TTD management for developing 10 sub-temples, a Kalyana Mandapam, a Veda Patashala, a Yagasala, Pushkarini and a guest house in Gundumala village of Madakasira mandal in November 2017, following which the Chief Minister's Office had written to the TTD the very next day, directing it to follow it up. As there was no trust board at that time, the issue was kept pending, but with the State forming a new panel with Putta Sudhakar Yadav as the Chairman, there is palpable pressure from the public representatives on the TTD officials, especially the engineering wing.
“Estimates for projects worth crores of rupees are being readied, to be tabled in the next TTD trust board meeting,” alleges P. Naveen Kumar Reddy, convener of Rayalaseema Porata Samithi and also a civil contractor.
‘Short-sighted’
At a press conference here on Sunday, he said there were already three TTD-run Kalyana Mandapams in 10-km radius around the village, which were languishing for want of takers. He pointed out that sanctioning such ‘short-sighted’ proposals would not only hit the TTD's revenue sources, but also encourage politicians to ‘loot’ the Lord's funds in a bid to improve their popularity ahead of the elections.
