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Bhadradri prasadam tenders cancelled
Endowments Commissioner Shiva Sankar has cancelled tenders for preparing the prasadam of Sri Ramachandra Swamy temple.
Devotees question about the change of laddu proportion
Bhadrachalam: Endowments Commissioner Shiva Sankar has cancelled tenders for preparing the prasadam of Sri Ramachandra Swamy temple.
According to reports, though the orders cancelling the tenders were received four days ago, the temple authorities and staff kept it under wraps.
When the tenders were invited for the year 2017-18 for preparing the prasadam of temple deities, only one person filed the tender through e-Procurement. The tender was called for making laddus, lemon rice and Chakkera Pongali.
The temple authorities finalised the tender and it was submitted for the Endowment Commissioner’s approval. The tender cancellation orders were received recently. The temple authorities were taking steps to invite bids again for preparing the prasadam.
The existing contractor’s services are valid till a new contractor takes over. The contractor will be paid 0.33 paise for each laddu, 0.22 paise for lemon rice of given quantity and seven paise for Chakkera Pongali of the given quantity.
The temple devasthanam spends Rs 5.69 crore as against the revenue of Rs 7.21 crore earned by way of selling the prasadams.
Similarly, the tender for house-keeping services is also ending by this month-end. The temple spends Rs 6.5 lakh per month towards house-keeping charges. In all, 62 persons were engaged in the house-keeping services.
The new incumbent Executive Officer, Prabhakara Srinivas, introduced many changes in the temple administration. He has done away with Kalyanam Laddu sales, which was in vogue for several years. The size of the laddu was reduced to 80 grams from 100 grams but still each laddu is being sold at Rs 15 as usual.
Devotees have questioned the EO how he could change the proportion of the ingredients without prior approval of the authorities.
The temple devasthanam is supposed to issue a public notice in media about the changes, but the relevant rule is apparently not complied with.
Talking to The Hans India, BJP leader Avula Subba Rao said that the sale of Kalyanam Laddu should be continued as usual.
The temple Executive Officer confirmed receiving the orders from the Endowments Commissioner cancelling the prasadam tender. Steps are being taken for inviting the tenders afresh, he added.
The Endowments Commissioner has been informed on suspension of sale of Kalyanam Laddus and decreasing the laddu weight to 80 grams.
