Andhra Pradesh high court questions use of TTD funds by govt for road infra projects

Vijayawada: Denouncing the state govt's argument, which justified the usage of TTD funds stating that the money is being utilised to lay roads for devotees coming from Tirupati to Tirumala, the high court on Wednesday asked the govt whether it will lay roads to Tamil Nadu by applying the same logic, as devotees are also coming from there to Tirumala. The high court, which earlier stayed the decision of TTD to spend Rs 100 crore on infrastructure and sanitation works in Tirupati, asked the govt and the TTD to file a response on the issue.
BJP functionary B Bhanu Prakash Reddy challenged the proceedings issued by the TTD executive officer to spend Rs 100 crore every year in Tirupati. The court earlier passed interim orders staying the tender process, observing that the decision of TTD was prima facie in violation of Endowments Act. The counsel for the petitioner told the court on Wednesday that TTD funds should be used only for the welfare of devotees and on Hindu dharmik activities.
The counsel for TTD said a new board has been constituted, and it is yet to take a decision on the issue. When the HC bench, headed by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati, wanted to know the stand of the state govt on the issue, special govt pleader S Pranati said the funds are intended for the development and repair of roads leading to Tirumala from Tirupati and for maintaining cleanliness on these roads.
The court took serious objection to the argument and questioned whether the govt will also lay roads to Tamil Nadu on the grounds of providing facilities to devotees coming from there. The court also asked the TTD, state govt, and Tirupati Urban Development Authority to file responses on the issue.