In a major move to address the issue of non-Hindu employees at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the state government has asked the TTD to identify non-religious positions where they can be transferred.
TTD had earlier urged the state to take non-Hindus into its hands and place them in various government departments, which seems to have been turned down.
There are several educational and health institutions in Tirupati under the aegis of TTD where such employees can be transferred, according to the government.
TTD chairman BR Naidu, who took charge in November last year, announced that he would clean up the system by kicking out all non-Hindus from TTD. The TTD Board in its very first meeting also passed a resolution to this effect citing the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Act.
The Staff Regulations of TTD were first revised in 1987 and jobs in TTD and its affiliated institutions were reserved only for those who follow the Hindu religion. Subsequently, amendments were made to the TTD Act and the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Act in 1989, 2000 and 2007 respectively.
“Despite the change in rules, 44 non-Hindus joined TTD through various formats. However, TTD remained indifferent during the last five years by not filing a counter when the matter reached the Andhra Pradesh High Court when such employees knocked on the door,” said Mr BR Naidu indirectly blaming the previous exception.
The current board, which received representations from several Hindu organizations expressing concern over the growing number of non-Hindus in the TTD, conducted an internal Vigilance inquiry which found that 29 of the 44 non-Hindu applicants were still working in the TTD.
As the state government directed Chief Executive Anil Kumar Singhal to submit a comprehensive report identifying suitable places in non-temple TTD institutions for relocation of non-Hindus, the administration was also considering introducing Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) by working out a lucrative package.
E-dip for locals
Meanwhile, TTD on Thursday announced that ‘e-dip’ registration for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens for residents of Tirumala, Tirupati, Renigunta and Chandragiri will be opened from December 27 to December 29 through TTD website, mobile app and WhatsApp under 1+3 system for darshan on January 6, 7.00 08 days, around 5.00 08 tokens will be provided each day. 4,500 for Tirupati, Renigunta and Chandragiri and 500 for those of Tirumala. The “e-dip” draw will be held on December 31 at 2 p.m
Published – 11 Dec 2025 21:28 IST
