Former TTD Chairman Raises Concerns Over Ghee Supply Contract Award
In Tirupati, former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chief Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has raised serious questions regarding the awarding of a ghee supply contract to Indapur Dairy, which allegedly did not participate in the tender process. On Wednesday, Reddy directly questioned his successor, BR Naidu, about the decision to award the contract for 10 lakh kilograms of ghee to this dairy.
Allegations of Irregularities in Tender Process
Bhumana Karunakar Reddy pointed to a specific TTD board resolution passed in October 2025. According to this resolution, only the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) participated in the tender for the supply of 20 lakh kilograms of cow ghee. KMF was the sole tenderer in this process.
However, the situation took an unusual turn when KMF informed TTD that it could only supply 10 lakh kilograms of the total 20 lakh kilograms required. In response, TTD reportedly awarded the contract for the remaining 10 lakh kilograms to Indapur Dairy, designating it as the L-2 (second bidder).
"Why was this dairy, which did not even take part in the tender call, considered L-2 bidder in this case?" Bhumana Karunakar Reddy asked, highlighting what he perceives as a procedural anomaly.
Further Questions About Subsequent Tender
The former TTD chief also brought attention to another concerning development. In November 2025, just one month after KMF's partial commitment, TTD floated another tender for ghee supply. KMF participated in this new tender process.
Despite KMF's participation, the supply contract for 10 lakh kilograms of cow ghee in this November tender was awarded to Indapur Dairy, which was declared as the L-1 (first bidder) in this instance.
This sequence of events has raised additional questions about the consistency and transparency of the tender evaluation process within TTD's procurement system.
Broader Implications for TTD Procurement
The allegations come at a time when transparency in public procurement processes is under increased scrutiny. TTD, as a major religious and administrative institution, handles substantial contracts for various supplies including ghee, which is essential for temple rituals and offerings.
Proper tender procedures are crucial for ensuring fair competition, value for money, and accountability in public spending. The questions raised by the former TTD chairman touch on fundamental principles of procurement governance.
As of now, there has been no official response from TTD or BR Naidu regarding these specific allegations. The development highlights ongoing concerns about procurement practices in major religious institutions and their adherence to established tender protocols.
