Date:02/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/02/stories/2007110260910700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

TTD urged to protect its properties

Special Correspondent

House panel seeks a list of Hathiramji Mutt lands in and around Tirupati

TIRUPATI: The AP Legislative Committee on Assurances with E. Pratap Reddy as its Chairperson on Thursday asked the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to take all measures to protect its properties in Tirupati, Tirumala and outside as well from ‘land grabbers’.

Addressing a review meeting with the TTD top-brass led by its Executive Officer K.V. Ramanachary, Mr. Reddy also wanted that the TTD besides fencing its own lands also should take similar steps to safeguard lands belonging to Tirupati/Tirumala-based Hathiramji Mutt as well.

List sought

He wanted the TTD to submit a list of the Hathiramji Mutt lands in and around Tirupati so that the matter could be taken up with the Endowments Minister during the winter session of the Assembly and Council from November 5. The TTD should either put up fencing or build compound walls around all such lands, he said and made a specific reference to the 27-acre site belonging to the Mutt, which was intended to be used for allotment of house sites to the TTD staff.

As a case was pending in the High Court against the site, the TTD should take the responsibility to safeguard it.

The Executive Officer said the TTD was taking steps for early distribution of house sites to all the 7,000 employees who have not been covered under the programme. About the alleged unauthorised occupation of lands by the Kalki Bhagavan Ashram in Chittoor district, Collector S. S. Rawath told the panel that already about 137 acres retrieved were distributed to the poor and the landless.