Redeploy non-Hindus in non-religious positions, government tells TTD

In a significant step towards addressing the issue of non-Hindu employees in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the State government has asked the TTD to identify non-religious positions where they can be redeployed.

The TTD has earlier urged the State to take the non-Hindus into its fold and post them in various government departments, which appears to have been turned down.

There are several educational and medical institutions under the TTD umbrella in Tirupati, where, the government feels, such employees can be redeployed.

TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, who took charge in November last, has announced to cleanse the system by ousting all-non Hindus from the TTD. The TTD board, in its very first meeting, has also made a resolution to this effect, citing provisions in the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Act.

The TTD employees’ service rules had first bee amended in 1987 and jobs in the TTD and its affiliated institutions were reserved only for those professing Hindu religion. Amendments were subsequently brought in the TTD Act and the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Act in 1989, 2000 and 2007.

“In spite of the amendment of rules, 44 non-Hindus joined the TTD through various formats. However, the TTD, during the past five years, remained indifferent by not filing counter when the issue reached the Andhra Pradesh High Court, when such employees knocked its door,” Mr. B.R. Naidu said, indirectly blaming the previous dispensation.

The present board, which received representations from several Hindu organisations expressing concern over the rising number of non-Hindus in the TTD, conducted an internal Vigilance inquiry, which found that 29 of the 44 non-Hindu petitioners were still working in the TTD.

With the State government directing Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal to submit a comprehensive report by identifying suitable posts in the TTD’s non-temple institutions to redeploy the non-Hindus, the administration was also contemplating introducing Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) by working out a lucrative package.

E-dip for locals

Meanwhile, the TTD on Thursday announced that ‘e-dip’ registration for Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens for residents of Tirumala, Tirupati, Renigunta and Chandragiri would be open from December 27 to December 29 through the TTD website, mobile app and WhatsApp under 1+3 system for darshan on January 6, 7 and 8. About 5,000 tokens would be provided each day, of which 4,500 for Tirupati, Renigunta and Chandragiri and 500 for those from Tirumala. The ‘e-dip’ draw would be organised on December 31 at 2 p.m.