TTD accused of turning a blind eye to the menace of Illegal hawkers in Tirumala

Leaders of the Tirumala Parirakshana Sainyam on Friday alleged that despite Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s directions for an immediate action, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was yet to act tough and clear the illegal hawkers and unauthorised pavement dwellers in Tirumala.

The organisation also charged the temple administration with allowing unauthorised traders to thrive at the cost of local residents’ livelihoods and sanctity and security of the town.

Addressing the media, the organisation leader Kola Lakshmipathi alleged that over 500 non-local vendors had been doing business for the past several years without licence, hand-in-glove with the TTD revenue and panchayat staff.

“While genuine local residents are struggling to survive, outsiders enjoying political patronage are minting fortunes. The Chief Minister’s Office has issued written orders to the TTD Executive Officer to clear all illegal stalls and restore order, yet nothing has changed,” he alleged, releasing a copy of the letter to the media.

The activists demanded a special task force to remove illegal stalls and renew expired licences of genuine traders. They also slammed the TTD officials for “ignoring civic problems” in Balaji Nagar, where locals face poor drainage and lack of drinking water facilities.

Criticising the administration for succumbing to political pressure in the allotment of shops and licences, the Parirakshana Sainyam demanded adherence to implementation of the 15% local quota in TTD jobs.

The leaders urged the TTD EO, who is also the Panchayat President of the town, to adopt a pragmatic approach to their genuine demands and ensure natural justice.