The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Scrap TTD board, says Left

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Sunday, Aug 30, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Scrap TTD board, says Left

Bill to amend Societies Registration Act opposed

Raghavulu for House Committee to probe irregularities in TTD functioning
Board accused of putting on backburner move to display jewels of presiding deity

HYDERABAD: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the CPI have demanded that the government scrap the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams board and order a probe into the affairs of the TTD to ascertain facts.

The two parties described the Bill to amend Societies Registration Act as “unconstitutional” and demanded that the government immediately withdraw it as it was intended at interfering in the affairs of the societies rather than rectifying the lapses occurring in them.

Speaking to reporters, CPI(M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu demanded that the government constitute a House Committee to probe the reported irregularities in the functioning of the TTD and the charges of corruption faced by some of the board members.

Steps should be initiated to take up valuation of properties of the TTD and the government should remove those facing charges of irregularities from service.

At a separate press conference, CPI State secretary K. Narayana criticised Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy for advising the members to seek legal remedy if they were not happy with the amendment being contemplated to the Societies Registration Act.

Describing the Minister’s remarks as “irresponsible”, he demanded that Mr. Venkata Reddy withdraw his comments or resign from his post. “Why should the government function if people are asked to seek legal remedies?” he said.

Credibility lost

Asserting that the TTD Board had lost its credibility, Dr. Narayana said the board’s earlier proposal for conducting an exhibition of jewels of the presiding deity of Tirumala had been put on the backburner as the government was afraid that the lapses taking place in TTD administration would be exposed.

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Andhra Pradesh