- By Kamal Kumar
- Fri, 20 Sep 2024 01:38 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Tirupati Laddu News: As the row over alleged animal fat in Tirupati Laddus intensified, the Nandini Ghee maker, Karnataka Milk Federation, explained why its contract of supplying ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) ended and how it led to the entry of a new supplier, after which the latest controversy erupted.
The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) said that in 2023, the price of its ghee was 400 Rs per kilogram. This amount was significantly higher than some companies which were offering cheaper alternatives to TTD therefore KMF decided not to take part in the tender process.
A senior company executive said that KMF was not willing to compromise on the quality, and a price reduction would have impacted the interest of farmers associated with the federation. It was only in August 2024 that the KMF started supplying Nandini ghee to the famous Hindu shrine.
'Started Supplying Again After TDP Govt Came To Power'
Speaking to a news channel, the chairman of the KMF, Bheema Naik said that after the Telegu Desam Party formed the government in the state, the TTD members did a press meeting asking why ghee from other brands was being purchased. They also questioned the intent of the previous state government.
"...They had written to us and we have again started providing ghee. We have become the lowest bidder for providing 3.5 lakh kg of ghee. We sent the first tanker a few days back,” Naik said as quoted by News18.
'Entire Nation Trusts Our Ghee'
The chairman further said that between 2013 to 2018, KMF supplied somewhere between 3,000 to 4,000 tons of ghee to the TTD. In 2019, the federation supplied around 2,000 tons to TTD in its last major supply. Later, the cooperative lost the bids to private players due to their lower prices, the chairman said.
Notably, Nandini is one of the most sought-after milk and milk-product brands in South India.
"...Not just the state, but the entire nation trusts our ghee. It is even being exported to Dubai and Qatar,” said the chairman.
Tirupati Laddu Controversy Explained
A controversy erupted over the Tirupati Tirumala Prasadam, which is consumed by lakhs of devotees visiting the revered temple every year after Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the previous YSRCP government used animal fat ghee and substandard ingredients in preparation of the Prasadam at Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple. The serious charges vehemently rejected the allegations made by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP, terming them as 'malicious'.
