The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board has taken a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability by approving a comprehensive new policy for cottage donations at the sacred hill shrine of Tirumala. This move aims to address long-standing ambiguities in the existing system governing the construction and maintenance of guest facilities donated by devotees.
Automation to Eliminate Manipulation
Drafted under the supervision of TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, the newly approved framework mandates the complete automation of the entire donation process. This technological intervention is designed to leave no room for manual manipulation, thereby guaranteeing transparency at every single stage, from pledge to project completion.
"In the absence of a uniform policy, accountability never existed either for donors or user departments. The new framework brings accountability for everyone," explained Venkaiah Chowdary. The policy comes as a response to the need for a structured system, given the massive influx of devotees to the abode of Lord Venkateswara, which sees 60,000 to 75,000 visitors on weekdays and nearly 85,000 on weekends and festive occasions.
Key Features of the New Donation Framework
The revamped policy introduces several critical provisions to streamline operations and safeguard donor interests.
Firstly, it formalizes the role of donor nominees. "From now on, every donor can appoint a nominee when TTD approves construction of a new guesthouse or cottage," Chowdary added. This ensures a designated point of contact and oversight for the donor throughout the project lifecycle.
Secondly, the policy establishes clear usage guidelines and a penalty framework to ensure that donated facilities are maintained and used as intended. This addresses previous gaps in management and upkeep.
A major security enhancement is the provision for CCTV surveillance of all guesthouses and cottages. These feeds will be monitored by the centralized command control room at Tirumala, significantly boosting safety and security for the thousands of devotees who utilize these accommodations.
Addressing Infrastructure Needs with Clarity
While the TTD has historically used its own funds to build numerous guesthouses and pilgrim amenities, a substantial portion of the facilities at Tirumala were constructed through the generous donations of devotees. The new policy aims to honor this devotion by creating a robust, corruption-free system for future contributions.
The comprehensive cottage donation policy marks a pivotal shift towards institutionalizing charitable contributions at one of the world's richest and most visited religious institutions. By leveraging automation and strict protocols, the TTD seeks to foster greater trust among devotees, ensuring that their offerings are managed with the utmost integrity and efficiency for the benefit of all pilgrims.
