TTD ghee supply row: Retired IAS Dinesh Kumar to head AP Govt’s one-man inquiry committee
The move follows the filing of a chargesheet by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case registered at the Tirupati East Police Station.
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a one-person committee to examine alleged administrative lapses in the supply of adulterated and substandard ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
The government issued GO 458 on Friday, appointing retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar (RR-1983) to head the committee.
The panel has been given 45 days to submit the report.
The move follows the filing of a chargesheet by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case registered at the Tirupati East Police Station.
Supreme Court-monitored SIT probe
The case pertains to allegations of adulterated and substandard ghee being supplied to the TTD.
The matter had reached the Supreme Court, which, on October 4, 2024, entrusted the investigation to an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The SIT completed its probe and filed a chargesheet before the court on January 23. Along with it, the SIT submitted a Self-Contained Note (SCN) recommending suitable action against erring committee members and senior officers of TTD for lapses, omissions, and failures in relaxing and enforcing ghee tender conditions.
What are the responsibilities of the panel?
The committee has been tasked to:
- Assess administrative lapses, omissions and failures in the relaxation and enforcement of tender conditions.
- Examine whether decisions were taken with due diligence, proper justification and procedural compliance.
- Identify the extent of administrative responsibility, if any, of officers, committee members or other TTD functionaries.
- Recommend appropriate administrative or disciplinary action.
- Restrict its examination strictly to administrative and governance aspects.
The committee has been given the authority to call for records, seek written explanations and obtain expert assistance with prior approval from the government.
45-day deadline to submit report
The committee has been directed to submit its report within 45 days from the date of issuance of the order.
The report will be recommendatory in nature and will be examined by the State government for further action.
The order also clarifies that the committee’s work will not prejudice any proceedings currently pending before any court. TTD has been instructed to extend full secretarial and administrative support to the committee.
