AP CS orders probe into TTD gold ferrying controversy

Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh L V Subramaniam in a significant move has appointed the special chief secretary (Revenue, Land and Endowments) Manmohan Singh, as in-charge to inquire into the alleged dispute over transportation of the 1,381 kg of gold belonging to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

He also asked for a preliminary report to be submitted to him by April 23.

He cited the media reports reason behind his decision to order a probe. The media reports claimed that due to violation of procedures in transporting the gold, had led to seizure of gold by the state surveillance team of the Election Commission.  This was happened a day before the Lok Sabha elections in neighboring Tamil Nadu.

Subramaniam felt there is need to uncover the truth and take corrective measure to avoid such happenings in future.

Chief Secretary said the inquiry will identify the lapses, if any, in the release and transportation of the gold on the part of the TTD and Punjab National Bank (PUB).  He also said, the inquiry will also unravel whether there were any written instructions issued by the Executive Officer of the TTD, besides looking into the role of TTD Vigilance Cell’s failure too.

Meanwhile, the seer Kamalananda Bharati Swami ji, founder of the Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samiti, who faced an embarrassment due to the video in which he apparently seen taking the EO of TTD Anil Kumar Singhal, to task,going viral on social media and kicked up a controversy, however, managed to ensure its withdrawal.

The video which went viral on Saturday night shows the seer losing his cool and attacking the TTD EO and JEO KS Srinivas Raju, for indulging in rampant corruption.  Unaware of the fact that the gold was returned to the TTD, he himself has released the view, which shows him demanding sacking of the two officials.