The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has decided to hand over the alleged case of adulteration of ghee supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to a commission of inquiry to identify the real masterminds of the controversy.
The issue was discussed in detail in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday. The Cabinet examined the report submitted by the Special Investigation Team during which several flaws in the findings were pointed out. Subsequently, it was decided that a commission of inquiry would look into the loopholes in the SIT report and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the procurement process, tendering conditions and administrative malpractices linked to the alleged mixing of chemicals in ghee.
During the meeting, the ministers informed the chief minister that former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, who was not a member of the procurement committee at the time, was reportedly invited as a special invitee, while committee members including the then minister Kolusu Parthasarathi and Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy were not invited.
Officials also informed the government that laddus allegedly prepared using adulterated ghee were even sent to Ayodhya. The cabinet discussed the changes made in the tender conditions and questioned why the then chief executive Anil Kumar Singhal did not raise objections despite the amendments in procurement norms. Ministers also expressed concern that tenders were allegedly secured using false documents. It was pointed out that a 2022 CFTRI report indicated adulteration of ghee, but officials at the time allegedly ignored these findings.
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan sought to clarify whether the role of former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy was mentioned in the SIT report and whether the record sheet specifically mentioned animal fat. Officials confirmed that the indictment clearly mentions animal fat on page 35, sources said.
The cabinet directed the inquiry committee to submit its report as soon as possible. She also asked the panel to look into procedural flaws in the tender process and investigate allegations that cooperative dairies were deliberately sidelined to allow bogus dairies to enter the supply chain.
Published – 03 Feb 2026 20:27 IST