Minister of Finance of Andhra Pradesh, Payyavula Keshav. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
State Finance Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Payyavula Keshav insisted that the ghee used by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to make laddus was adulterated with animal fat, and the same was established by the Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, in 2022 itself.
However, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Government had kept the CFTRI’s findings a closely guarded secret in order to protect those involved in the offensive act, he alleged.
Addressing a press conference at the TDP central office near Mangalagiri on Saturday (January 31, 2026), Mr. Keshav said after the coalition government was formed in 2024, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) ‘s Centre of Analysis & Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) reiterated the fact that the ghee was adulterated, after doing a thorough analysis of the samples.
The YSRCP leaders who were saying that those involved in the case got a clean chit should prove their claim, he demanded.
Mr. Keshav said the crux of the matter was the relaxation of norms related to ghee supply by the YSRCP Government. It was a ₹240 crore fraud that required an in-depth probe.
The TDP Government of 2014-19 had stipulated that traders supplying ghee to TTD should have a minimum annual turnover of ₹250 crore and a proven quality track record of at least three years.
These were diluted by the YSRCP Government, which said it would be enough for the traders to have a turnover of ₹150 crore and just one year of experience.
Further, the Minister alleged that Chinna Appanna, a personal assistant and secretary of the then TTD Trust Board Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy had approached a private dairy for ghee procurement, for which he allegedly sought a commission of ₹25 per litre.
The dairy firm was disqualified for refusing to pay the commssion but it found a way into the supply chain through dubious entities.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had begun streamlining the TTD administration, including the preparation of laddus to maintain their quality, soon after taking charge in June 2024.
It was as part of that reforming process that the adulteration of ghee came to light. The statement made Mr. Naidu at an NDA meeting was on the basis of the CALF report.
The statement was sensational, but the CM could no longer suppress the fact as it was a matter of faith of devotees around the world. There was irrefutable evidence of the wrongdoing, Mr. Keshav asserted.
He said the government should now proceed to expose whoever was complicit in the scandal and punish them by ensuring that the CBI investigation reached a conclusion at the earliest.
On their part, former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party leaders should apologise for damaging the sanctity of TTD and giving the whole issue a political colour with mala fide intentions, the Minister demanded.
Published – January 31, 2026 02:27 pm IST
