Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has taken serious action against unauthorised photographers wandering the TTD premises and pestering devotees to take pictures. The TTD vigilance staff conducted surprise checks and caught unauthorised hawkers, seized their cameras, and dropped them in the coconut hundi.
After receiving several complaints from devotees, TTD vigilance formed teams and made surprise checks at the Srivari temple premises, ladoo counter, Annadana Satram, Mada streets, and shopping complex.
They found that many people are taking pictures with still cameras without any license and are charging money from devotees. During the checks from Golla Mandapam to Akhilanda mandapam, the teams seized around 20 cameras and dropped them in the hundi. The cameras will not be used again.
TTD has issued a notice saying strict action will be taken against such photographers. It said only those photographers with a license are allowed to take photographs in their designated areas. The vigilance officers also checked the licenses of photo studios in different areas.