Date:15/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/15/stories/2008081559231200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Suspension of officials in ‘gold dollar case’ revoked

Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA: The controversial Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD)’s ‘gold dollar case’ turned out to be a storm in a teacup with the TTD board of trustees in its emergency meeting held on Thursday unanimously resolving to revoke the suspension orders against three senior officials and withdrawing the termination orders of Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

Addressing a press conference after the emergency meeting, TTD chairman B. Karunakar Reddy said the board discussed the issue at length and came to a decision that the action initiated against the three senior officials, R. Prabhakar Reddy (Special grade Dy. Executive Officer) A.Vasudevan (Deputy Executive Officer) and E. Ramachandra Reddy (Superintendent), was “not fair according to the sentiments of the agitating TTD employees who felt that gross injustice was meted out to them.”

In the same vein, the board felt that the termination orders issued on OSD (Parpathyedar) N. Seshadri was also unwarranted and withdrew them. Although the board attached significance to the requirements of the devotees, it felt importance had to be attached to the welfare of the employees.

In a bid to bring in greater transparency, the board ordered an in-depth inquiry into the affair and has appointed TTD Special Officer A.V. Dharma Reddy as the investigating officer.

He has been asked to submit a detailed report at the earliest. Mr. Reddy clarified that the investigation will be confined only to the ‘300 gold dollar missing case.’

To another question, he said the TTD management would be able to defend its stance even in the court of law.

Further, he said that the board was totally convinced with the periodical verification of the ornaments of Lord Venkateswara. Stringent steps would be taken for safeguarding the valuable ornaments.