By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Aug 27 : The AP High Court on Thursday rejected the plea of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam executive offficer that he is unable to attribute the failure in ensuring annual verification of audit of the assests of the temples under the control of the TTD to the state government or the TTD.
Mr IYR Krishna Rao, the EO of the TTD in his undertaking submitted to the court explained that the TTD is prepared to submit master list as directed by the High Court, but he cannot attribute the failure either to TTD or the state government as he is being paid by the TTD and the state government.
He suggested in his affidavit that since he falls under the administrative purview of the TTD executive board and the endowments department,it is better if the answers are sought straight from the two agencies.
He urged the court to modify the order, as far as attributing the failure to the TTD or state government by entrusting this task to any other appropriate authority.
He also urged the court to grant to two months time after the completion Brahomostavam to prepare master list of the TTD assets.
A division bench comprising Justice Goda Raghuram and Justice Ramesh Ranganathan rejecting the plea of the EO entrusting the job of identifying the failure on the part of TTD or the state government,observed that the government cannot shirk its responsibilities saying that he has been working under the TTD.
It said that he could be more assertive because he was protected by the TTD and also by the constitution by virtue of his position as an IAS officer.
The bench fixed a new deadline for the completion of the verification of the assets under the control of the TTD including movable and immovable properties in the state and other parts of the country .
The court directed the TTD to complete to verification and audit of the TTD assets having in state by the end of October 31 and submit it to the court in a sealed cover on the day.
The judges also directed the EO to complete the verification of assets TTD is having in other parts of the country by November 30, and submit the report to the court.
The bench further directed the EO to come out with the current value of the diamonds and other jewellery apart from mentioning their weight,caratage, purity particulars.
Mr S R Ashok, senior counsel who appeared on behalf of the TTD told the bench the authorities might have mentioned the values of the articles as they were shown in the books. These entries were in accordance with the rates prevailing at the time of their offering.
He contended that some of the diamonds depict lesser value because they were offered to the deity during the time of Kings and kingdoms and their value entered at that time minus depreciation must have been the reason for the less value depiction.
Mr S Ramachandra Rao, senior counsel who appeared on behalf Mr Bezavada Govinda Reddy, the petitioner, objected to the way the authorities were showing shockingly lesser value for the lost jewellery of the lord.
He said three pearls which were lost were valued at Rs 30, four diamonds cost was shown as Rs 500 per diamond and the value of the 5 white stones was put at ten rupees per pearl.
He said that his client was subjected to threats by some unidentified persons after he filing the petition on irregularities which are taking place in the TTD.
Responding to this the judge said that they have seen some news reports with regard to this and directed the petitioner to file an affidavit within two weeks explaining the details of the threatening and inducement he is facing for withdrawing the writ petitions.
The court also directed the OSD of the TTD Mr Seshadri to file an affidavit within two weeks regarding the cracks and breaking noted on Ruby of the Lord in 1999.
The case was posted to September 14 for further hearing.
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