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India Today
7 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Tirupati temple board's AI-based plan for faster darshan at Tirumala faces backlash
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)'s push to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce darshan waiting times at the Tirumala temple has sparked a public debate, with former TTD officials questioning both its intent and its recent board meeting, TTD had announced plans to use advanced AI technology to reduce waiting times for darshan, in collaboration with tech majors like Google and the larger interests of the common devotees who are facing long waiting hours in queue lines and Vaikuntham complexes in Tirumala to have darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the TTD Board has decided to provide darshan to the devotees within the stipulated time using advanced AI technology in collaboration with Google, TCS and other organizations free of cost," the TTD Chairman BR Naiu had said in the board meeting. YSR Congress Party State Spokesperson and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has dismissed current TTD Chairman BR Naidu's claims on using AI to streamline darshan at Tirumala as "misleading and mere publicity."Reddy alleged that the allocation of guesthouses on the Tirumala hills was made to representatives from Google and TCS, firms reportedly offering AI solutions free of cost to the temple body. He questioned the lack of visible outcomes despite the TTD Chairman discussing AI implementation for the past nine the chorus of criticism, former Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh and ex-TTD Executive Officer, LV Subramanyam, also expressed from Tirumala on Sunday, he was quoted as saying, 'It is impossible to reduce the darshan waiting time below three hours through AI, as there are several limitations at the temple. Instead, the TTD should focus on improving pilgrim amenities in the hill town.'- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh
Hans India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TTD ghee scam probe targets former top officials
Tirupati: The investigation into the adulterated ghee scam linked to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has entered a decisive phase, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is preparing to issue notices to two former senior officials of the temple body. This is the first time the probe has extended to the higher ranks of TTD's past administration. Sources suggest one of the former officials may be summoned shortly, possibly in the presence of Appanna, a close aide to ex-TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy. Appanna, who served as one of five personal assistants during Reddy's tenure under the YSRCP government, was recently questioned by SIT officials in Tirupati. Regarded as Reddy's most trusted aide, Appanna is believed to possess crucial information regarding the internal handling of ghee procurement and supply, which was later found to be adulterated. Investigators are now examining how ghee contracts were awarded, any informal agreements that may have taken place, and the beneficiaries of such deals. Appanna is also known to have wide-reaching contacts in political and business circles, spanning Hyderabad to Delhi. A joint interrogation team, including three CBI Deputy Superintendents of Police and one from Andhra Pradesh Police, is leading the inquiry. Proceedings are being recorded in both audio and video formats. Since the SIT launched its probe in November 2023 under Supreme Court direction, eight arrests have been made – six from dairies and two TTD staff. Until now, the investigation had largely avoided former trust board members, but Appanna's questioning has redirected the focus toward TTD's former top leadership. In a related development, the SIT has detained Jyotish, a Kolkata-based businessman allegedly linked to the scam. A close associate of Bhole Baba Dairy's director Pomil Jain, Jyotish reportedly supplied raw materials, without formal invoicing for manufacturing the adulterated ghee. After initially evading authorities, he was traced to the outskirts of Kolkata and brought to Tirupati for questioning. Jyotish claimed ignorance about the ghee's end-use, insisting he acted on Jain's instructions.
