Peethadhipathis, VHP hail TTD's Srivani scheme; flay adverse campaign

TIRUMALA: Several Peethadhipathis and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders hailed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for utilising every single penny of Sri Venkateswara Aalayala Nirmanam Trust (Srivani) funds towards the construction of temples in SC, ST, BC, fishermen and backward areas.

Addressing media at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala on Thursday, June 22, 2023, TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy, along with Peethadhipathis and VHP leaders, addressed a media conference and countered the allegations on the misuse of Srivani funds.

VHP national joint secretary Raghavulu described temples as the centres of Santana Hindu Dharma. He said that temples used to play the role of bhojanasala, dharamasala, vaidyasala, vedasala, mallasala, yogasala and gosala. He said that TTD being the biggest social reformer besides its spiritual activities, must take up various social welfare activities. “We did a fact check on the allegations and were happy to inform you that every single penny is utilised in constructing new temples and restoring the ancient ones", Raghavulu said.

Swaswaroopanandagiri Swamy of Lalitha Peetham, Srinivasa Mangapuram, Virajananda Swamy of Brahmamgari Mutt, Kadapa, Durgaprasada Swamy of Hanumat Peetham, Hyderabad said they came to Tirumala and met Dharma Reddy to clarify doubts.

They said that they went through the bank accounts of the trust and found no misappropriation of funds. They said that if there was any doubt they should meet the people concerned and get them cleared.

Later Ramanjaneyulu, the MD of Solis Eye Care, Hyderabad, a devotee said he had darshan under Srivani scheme many times and found that the funds were used for the construction of temples in backward areas.

Dharma Reddy reiterated that devotees who have any doubts pertaining to the utilization of trust funds should approach TTD and get the details. He urged the devotees not to fall prey to false allegations.

The EO said that over 8.25lakh people had darshan through Srivani trust during the past four years. “As alleged by some persons, is it possible to cheat these devotees without giving proper receipts? One should think carefully before making such baseless allegations otherwise it would hurt millions of devotees", he cautioned.