The YSR Congress Party has criticized Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for alleged inconsistencies in his statements regarding the price and quality of ghee supplied for making Tirupati laddu during his previous tenure. Former Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, highlighted that a manufacturing unit owned by Naidu’s family’s Heritage Foods had supplied ghee at Rs 278 per kg, despite Naidu questioning the feasibility of providing quality ghee for less than Rs 300 per kg.
Karunakar Reddy pointed out that the same manufacturing unit, Indapur Foods and Dairy Products, supplied ghee ranging from Rs 278 to Rs 306 per kg during Naidu’s earlier term. He raised concerns about the unit now supplying ghee at a significantly higher price of Rs 658 per kg after Naidu’s return to power. The YSRCP leader emphasized the need for Naidu to explain the drastic price increase and the shift in suppliers.
According to Karunakar Reddy, the CBI charge sheet indicated that over 40 lakh kgs of ghee were provided by these units during Naidu’s tenure. He demanded answers from Naidu regarding the quality assessment of ghee supplied at Rs 278 per kg and the subsequent change in pricing standards. Additionally, Karunakar Reddy questioned discrepancies in bid prices compared to the manufacturing unit’s historical pricing.
