TTD offers a shawl to VVIP devotees. File image used for representation only.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) which is already embroiled in a pool of controversies has been plunged into yet another storm, this time over a massive scam involving the supply of sub-standard Angavastrams (shawl) generally presented to the VIPs as an honour during their visit to the temple of Lord Venkateswara. What began as a simple allegation unfortunately spiralled into one of the most serious procurement scandals the temple administration has faced in the last decade.
The silk cloth was allegedly supplied in gross violation of tender specifications between 2015 and 2025. Initial findings indicate that inferior dupattas were passed off as pure silk, raising questions of deliberate dilution of quality and systematic manipulation within the procurement process.
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Acting on the allegations that surfaced a couple of months back, TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu took a serious view and ordered the vigilance department for an in-depth probe into the episode. Officials were reportedly stunned to discover the poor quality of the material, which failed to meet even basic tender stipulations. They also uncovered a suspicious pattern as samples were consistently routed to a single institution in Kanchipuram for quality certification, bypassing other verification protocols.
The officials who took cognisance of the violation this time redirected the samples to the Central Silk Board laboratories in Bengaluru and Dharmavaram for certification. The results were not only appalling but also confirmed the inferior quality of the material used in the manufacturing of the shawl.
Much to their dismay they also found that the mandatory holograms were faked and that the traditional Sankhu, Chakra and Namam imprints — explicitly required on the cloth as required in the tenders — were missing.
Inquiries also revealed that a single organisation based in Nagari, Tirupati district, has been supplying the silk shawl to TTD for nearly a decade since 2015 besides occasionally routing consignments through firms owned by related family members. A case worker linked to the procurement chain has since been transferred but has not yet reported to the new posting.
Taking serious note of the findings, the TTD Trust Board during its last meeting formally resolved to request the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to launch a comprehensive inquiry into the entire episode.
The total amount involved in the scandal is put around ₹54.95-crore.
The TTD on suspicion, transferred an employee (case worker) working in the procurement department who according to sources is yet to report to the new posting.
Latest reports suggest that, the TTD has sought technical assistance from the Ministry of Textiles, New Delhi which in turn appointed Dr. S. Arunkumar as the Regional Director who will also assist the TTD in determining the quality of both the regular silk shawl and the expensive ‘Melchat Vastrams’ — that is generally adorned to the main deity.
As a parallel development talks have also begun with the Tamil Nadu Co-optex for the supply of high-quality handwoven mulberry silk at a competitive price.
The subject is expected to dominate the discussions during the ensuing TTD trust board meeting scheduled on 16 of this month.
Published – December 10, 2025 05:12 pm IST
