Andhra Pradesh government Chief Secretary L V Subramaniam apparently has found several lapses on the part of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Executive Officer, Anil Kumar Singhal, in gold transportation row.
This was revealed in the comprehensive report that was prepared by the Special Chief Secretary Manmohan Singh (Revenue and Endowments), who was appointed to probe after a controversy engulfed the state over the Election Commission sleuths seizure of TTD gold, while transporting back to its treasuries from the Punjab National Bank (PNB).
Allegations and counter allegations flew between the ruling and Opposition, especially the BJP demanding for a probe,
As a result, the in-charge Chief Secretary L V Subramaniam, has order and probe headed by Manmohan Singh and asked him to submit the report, which was one on Tuesday. With his remarks, the CS, in turn, has reportedly forwarded to the Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday.
Though, the CS has submitted the report to Chief Minister, many feel, the latter may not act or pull up the TTD EO, due to his serious differences with the former.
Peeved with his appointment by the Election Commission, the Chief Minister minced no words to show up his ire against the Chief Secretary. He even went to the extent of calling him an ‘accused’ in Emmar scam, which his bête noir and YSRCP Chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, happens to be the prime accused. This, notwithstanding that Subramaniam, was acquitted by the state court.
Thus far, the differences between the CM and his CS are open in public domain and hence no action likely against the TTD EO or other officials for their lapses in gold transportation row.
Meanwhile, the probe revealed that the Vigilance Department of the TTD had no inkling over Rs 400 crore worth gold return from the PNB on the date its expiry. This as well other several other lapses were reportedly pointed out by special chief secretary in his enquiry report submitted to the CS on Tuesday.
Manmohan Singh, in his report blamed the TTD for not keeping track of 1,391 kg of gold and ‘left it entirely to the bank,’ without bother to monitor its ferrying.
The enquiry report observers; ‘It is the prime duty of the EO to keep track how his gold is being returned to temple treasuries, that too during election time, when the model of code of conduct is in force. He should have alerted the Vigilance Department and also conveyed it to the concerned EC officials. But, he did none.”
The preliminary enquiry report also felt that basic protocol too was not followed by the TTD as well bank while handling the precious gold that is being donated by the disciples of Lord Venkateswara.
In that backdrop, one wonders the TTD gold row may be put in cold storage for time being and it may engulf either way once the Lok Sabha and state assembly results are out on May 23.