Latest news with #JShyamalaRao
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Tirupati temple board clears plan for transfer, VRS to non-Hindu employees
HYDERABAD: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Tuesday decided to transfer non-Hindus who work at various institutions run by the board to other Andhra Pradesh government departments or ask them to opt for its voluntary retirement scheme, a senior board official said. TTD executive officer J Shyamala Rao told reporters that the trust board, which met at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala, had decided that its institutions should not have any non-HIndus on its rolls. TTD is the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. 'The trust board approved the decision to take steps towards the transfer of non-Hindu employees working in the TTD to other government departments through alternative ways or by offering them Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS),' Rao said, while briefing reporters about the board's resolutions. According to the TTD records of 2021, the board had about 40 non-Hindu employees at its institutions. Tuesday's decision by the board comes months after TTD initiated disciplinary action in February this year against 18 non-Hindu employees for continuing to take part in non-Hindu religious activities. The order barred the 18 employees – all Christians who worked as lecturers, hostel workers, office subordinates, engineers, helpers, nurses and other paramedical staff in various institutions run by TTD – from attending all religious and spiritual events organised by the board. None of them worked in the main Tirumala temple that attracts nearly 70,000 devotees every day and is considered one of the main nodes of Hindu pilgrimage spots. At the time of joining TTD institutions, employees take an oath that they will follow the Hindu dharma and Hindu traditions only, and that they will not follow non-Hindu religious activities in compliance with Rule 9 (vi) of the Service Rules issued in No. 1060 Revenue (Endowments-1), dated October 24, 1989.
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
TTD to establish urban design and planning cell to modernise Tirumala
TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has initiated a landmark urban development plan for Tirumala with the State government approval to set up a dedicated Urban Design and Planning (UDP) Cell. The decision, approved in a recent Cabinet meeting, is the first such initiative in four decades, led by TTD executive officer (EO) J Shyamala Rao. The UDP Cell comprises eight specialized posts, including a Director (Planning), Planning Officer, Associate Planner, Assistant Planner, Superintendent, GIS Specialist, Architectural Draughtsman, and Surveyor. While the Director and Planning Officer will be appointed on deputation from the State's Town & Country Planning Department, other roles allow for direct recruitment or deputation. The state government has also approved revised pay scales for the GIS Specialist and Surveyor, ensuring a strong operational framework. The initiative comes as Tirumala grapples with issues like overcrowding, accommodation shortages, and infrastructure challenges while striving to preserve its spiritual and cultural heritage. The TTD Trust Board, in its meeting on December 24, 2024, resolved to create the UDP Cell to address these concerns and align Tirumala's development with the State's long-term vision. According to official sources, the UDP Cell's focus areas include urban planning, architecture, and infrastructure optimization. Priority projects involve the construction of a modern Central Reception Office, redesigning shopping complexes, food courts, and eateries (both TTD-run and private), and planning new roads, footpaths, and essential buildings. Additionally, the UDP Cell will assess existing structures, recommend demolitions or reconstructions, and ensure that all new developments align with temple traditions and Hindu cultural aesthetics. Rao emphasised that the initiative aims for planned growth, balancing spiritual significance with modern infrastructure needs. 'Our objective is to create a next-generation ambiance while retaining Tirumala's spiritual essence,' he said. With TTD's workforce comprising 5,000 permanent and 12,000 contract employees, the UDP Cell is a significant step forward in addressing urban challenges while enhancing the pilgrim experience. The initiative is seen as the most comprehensive urban planning effort since the tenure of former administrators PVRK Prasad and IVR Krishna Rao.
