Andhra Pradesh govt stays auction of properties donated to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams by devotees

CHENNAI: The Andhra Pradesh government has stayed auction of properties donated to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams by devotees.
The previous government in Andhra Pradesh had set up committees to sell 50 properties -- agriculture land and buildings – donated to the TTD by devotees. As many as 23 of these properties are situated in Tamil Nadu.
In an order dated May 25, the AP government said keeping in mind the sentiments of devotees who donated the properties to the temple, the TTD is directed to stop the move to sell the properties.
“It has been brought to the notice of the government that the Board of Trustees of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which was constituted by the previous government, approved the disposal of 50 properties of TTD through its resolution dated January 30, 2016,” said Andhra Pradesh principal secretary Praveen Prakash.
“But keeping in view the sentiments of devotees, the government hereby directs TTD to re-examine the issue in consultation with different stakeholders like religious elders, opinion makers, section of devotees and others to ascertain whether these properties can be used by TTD for construction of temples, dharma pracharam and other religious activities,” said Prakash.
“Till the finalisation of the matter, the proposed disposal of 50 properties by TTD is hereby kept in abeyance. TTD executive officer shall take necessary action in this regard and submit compliance report immediately,” said the secretary.
A total of 23 properties were to be auctioned in the first phase. “The resolution to auction all these properties, donated by devotees, was passed by the previous TDP government as it was difficult to protect these properties from land sharks in the area,” said a TTD board member.