A major controversy has erupted in Tirupati over the alleged alienation of valuable land belonging to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Wednesday leveled serious accusations against the state government, claiming it facilitated a massive financial loss to the temple board.
Allegations of a Lopsided Land Swap
Bhumana Karunakar Reddy alleged that the state government has moved to allocate 20 acres of prime TTD land near Alipiri in Tirupati's urban area to a private hotel group. This land, he stated, holds a sub-registrar office (SRO) value of approximately Rs 520 crore. In exchange, the TTD is set to receive tourism department land located in Peruru village, a rural area valued at only around Rs 18 crore.
The former chairman highlighted that this swap results in a staggering difference of about Rs 500 crore, a loss he claims is being borne by the wealthy temple trust. He accused the government of effectively gifting the high-value urban land to the private entity for establishing five-star category villas and a resort.
Details of the Alleged Sweetheart Deal
Reddy provided further specifics of the arrangement that he finds problematic. He stated that the government approved the recommendations of the state investment promotion board to allot the 20 acres in Survey No. 588/A near Alipiri. Furthermore, the lease rent for this prime property was fixed at a mere 1% of its SRO value.
Adding to the alleged financial concessions, the state government also approved waiving stamp duty and registration charges worth Rs 26 crore for the deal. Additionally, Reddy claimed that stamp duty charges for the execution of the exchange deed with the TTD, valued at Rs 32 crore, were also waived. Based on these allegations, he has demanded a thorough probe into the entire land allocation process.
Defense from the TTD Trust Board
In response to the allegations, TTD trust board member and BJP leader G Bhanu Prakash Reddy offered a justification for the land swap. He explained that the trust board's decision was driven by a commitment to preserve the sanctity of the sacred hills.
"We are committed to preserving the sanctity of the foot of the hills," Bhanu Prakash Reddy stated. He argued that the swap was necessary to ensure the entire Alipiri stretch remains free from any form of constructions. The board resolved to exchange the Devasthanam's land with tourism department land precisely to prevent any future building projects along this crucial pathway to the temple, he explained.
The contrasting narratives set the stage for a heated political and administrative debate, centering on the management of the rich resources of one of India's most revered temple trusts.
