Priority to common devotees must, CM tells TTD staff

Chief Minister K Rosaiah asked the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Executive Officer  I Y R Krishna Rao, Special Officer Dharma Reddy to ensure that common devotees are not put to any hardship.

He enquired with the officials over phone about the heavy rush at the Tirumala temple in view of the summer vacation. The Chief Minister wanted the EO to explore the possibilities of regulating the special pooja timings and also further regulate the 'seeghra darshans', VIP/break darshans and ensure that maximum time is allotted to the common devotees.

 The Chief Minister also wanted the EO to make available safe drinking water round- the-clock to the ordinary devotees at Vaikuntam queue complex. He asked the officials to see the possibility of helping the aged, handicapped, mothers with infants so that they are not made to stand in the queues for hours.

"Common devotees are the top priority of the government. They should not be put to any hardship. I want the TTD administration to cope up with the rush and make necessary arrangements to regulate it and come to the rescue of the common devotees, particularly aged people, handicapped, women with infants, "the CM said.

The Chief Minister also wanted the TTD administration to take precautions at Tirumala and Tirupati for the safety and security of the pilgrims.

They should see that devotees are not exploited by middlemen and unscrupulous elements. The Chief Minister asked the EO to make regular inspections of the hill shrine, the queue complex, the guest-houses, the Annadanam complex and hotels and constantly monitor the system there.

Rosaiah asked the authorities should take special care of distribution of laddus.