Issue of laddu tokens stopped

Tirupati: The detection of fake laddu tokens forced the TTD to dispense with the issuance of the printed tokens to the devotees in the queue complex. As an alternate arrangement, the TTD on Sunday started issuing computer generated barcode tokens to the devotees for getting two laddus each, at a subsidized rate of Rs 20.

The devotees going by the general queue line and those with Divyadarshan tokens (issued to the pilgrims trekking the hills) were entitled to have the subsidised laddu tokens. Sources said that daily, on an average, about 30,000 subsidised laddu tokens are being issued. Following the orders from the higher ups, the TTD authorities immediately replaced the manual system of issuing Rs 20 printed tokens with computers and required personnel to issue computerised tokens in the massive queue complex.

But the issuing laddus was slowed down and subsequently left more devotees waiting in long queues as the staff at the laddu counters verifying the computerised tokens thoroughly. According to sources, the enquiry of the three persons, whom the TTD Vigilance authorities have taken into custody on Saturday, was still going on. While the investigation into the scam stepped with the Vigilance sleuths questioning the staff working in various wings that were connected with the production and sale of the laddu prasadam.

It may be noted here that the Vigilance personnel raided the TTD Printing Press located on KT Road on Saturday and seized the materials used for printing laddu tokens and also the printed token which were stocked in the Press. The details of the persons who were taken into custody were still to be known, as the TTD officials are tight lipped on the investigation on the fake laddu coupons.