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BJP defends Singhal’s appointment as TTD executive officer
In the wake of controversy over appointment of an IAS officer from north India as TTD executive officer, the BJP on Tuesday came out in support of the state government’s decision stating that the new EO Anilkumar Singhal was perfectly eligible for the post.
Tirupati: In the wake of controversy over appointment of an IAS officer from north India as TTD executive officer, the BJP on Tuesday came out in support of the state government’s decision stating that the new EO Anilkumar Singhal was perfectly eligible for the post.
One of party’s official spokesperson and former TTD board member G Bhanuprakash Reddy told the media here that Act 30 of 1987 known as “The Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987” made it clear that any executive officer can only be aware of ‘agamas’ but need not learn them.
Responding to the criticism that EO should have knowledge of Telugu and belong to Telugu state, Bhanuprakash said, “Any IAS officer after being allotted to a particular state, has to invariably learn the local language within the stipulated time.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Says the decision is in commensurate with the relevant laws and traditions
- Party spokesperson Bhanuprakash Reddy states law says official need to be aware of Agama Sastra but must not have learned it
- Advises critics to know facts before making statements and do not try to create division on the lines of north and south
They have to attend an examination also in that language which is mandatory,” he said and observed that Singhal had worked in different capacities in the state and he was well aware of Telugu language.
“Section 106 of Act 30 says that a person should be a Hindu to be appointed as Executive Officer. Section 107 clarifies that he should be not be below the rank of a district collector. Singhal fulfils all these norms,” he stressed.
He said there would be three IAS officers and one IPS officer in TTD who look after various responsibilities. “The executive officer will only supervise and monitor the overall administration. As far as the temple administration and rituals for Lord Venkateswara are concerned, EO will have limited role and never takes independent decisions.
Tirumala JEO, temple deputy EO, AEO, Paishkar and temple inspector will be there,” he said. According to Bhanuprakash Reddy, to protect the ‘Agamas’ and to ensure that everything is performed as per ‘Agama Sastra’, there are Pedda seer and Chinna seer swamijis along with an Agama advisor.
The daily rituals will be performed under the supervision of seers only and EO will have no role in it. He looks after the administration maters only. When these are the facts, what is wrong in the appointment of Singhal, he questioned.
He advised those making an issue of Singhal’s appointment to know the facts and details of the before commenting on it. “Don’t try to create divisions as north and south. We are all Indians,” he said.
