Non-Hindu staff at TTD set to transfer or retire; here’s what the temple board decided

Tirumala: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board has decided to transfer non-Hindu employees working in TTD through alternative ways or by giving them VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme).

Also, legal action will be taken on the movie crew of ‘DD Next Level’, directed by Prem Anand, starring and co-produced by Santhanam, for controversy over a song in the film, TTD said. In one of the song, ‘Govinda Govinda Kissa 47’, they have remixed Govinda Namavali and have triggered significant controversy ahead of its release.

These decisions were made by the TTD board during a meeting held under the chairmanship of the TTD Trust Board chairman B R Naidu, along with the TTD EO J Syamala Rao and other board members at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala on Tuesday. The board has taken some important resolutions in the larger interests of the devotees.

Here are some excerpts from the meeting:

1. Increase in forest cover: As per instructions from chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the board has given a nod to increase the green cover in the Tirumala hills from the existing 68.14 per cent to 80 per cent through the Forest Department.

After the government’s approval, it has been decided to release Rs 4 crore to the Government Forest Department in a phased manner, including Rs 1.74 crore for the year 2025-26, Rs 1.13 crore for the year 2026-27, and Rs 1.13 crore for the year 2027-28

2. Master plan to revive temples: The board has decided to receive technical and financial proposals from architects (consultants) to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the development of Tiruchanoor, Amaravati, Narayanavanam, Kapilatheertham, Nagalapuram and Vontimitta temples.

3. Name change for resthouses: All the rest houses in Tirumala have been renamed after the deities, except for two, as the respective donors have not responded so far. The TTD board has decided that the names of these rest houses shall be changed by the TTD. Regarding Sainik Niwas (Indian Army) rest house, the name will be negotiated with the officials concerned.

4. Food contracts: The TTD board deliberated on the approval for fixing the license fee for big canteens and Janatha Canteens in Tirumala. It has been decided that the contracts will be given to renowned institutions to provide quality food to the devotees.

5. Enhancing tourist experience: Regarding devotees visiting the Akashaganga and Papavinasanam areas in large numbers, the TTD has decided to formulate a plan to enhance the spiritual, environmental and infrastructure facilities here.

6. Additional funds to SVIMS: The TTD board has given its approval to provide an additional Rs 71 crore per year, in addition to the current Rs 60 crore financial aid, to the SVIMS Super Specialty Hospital—the flagship hospital of Rayalaseema for providing better medical services to many poor and needy people.

7. Introducing Srivari Vaidya Seva: The board has decided to recruit doctors, nurses and paramedical staff posts which are currently vacant in SVIMS. Buildings at the hospital which are under construction will be completed and made available for the patients. The board has also decided to introduce Srivari Vaidya Seva soon on the lines of Srivari Seva voluntary service, inviting experts in the medical field to offer services to the patients.

8. Non-religious posts in TTD: The TTD has agreed to take steps to transfer non-Hindu employees working in TTD through alternative ways or by giving them VRS.

9. Anti-drone tech: The TTD board also discussed the decision to use anti-drone technology, keeping in mind the security aspect of the Tirumala temple.

10. Annaprasadam services: The board will enhance Annaprasadam services to devotees in Vontimitta.

11. Development of temples: The TTD will develop Sridevi and Bhudevi Sameta Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple of TTD in Anantavaram, Tullur mandal, by allocating Rs 10 crores.

12. Action against film: The TTD will take legal action against the ‘DD Next Level’ film crew for remixing the Govinda Namavali and hurting the sentiments of the devotees.