Andhra Pradesh Government Appoints Retired IAS Officer Dinesh Kumar to Probe Administrative Lapses in TTD Ghee Supply; One-Person Committee Given 45 Days to Submit Report
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has constituted a one-member committee to investigate alleged administrative lapses in the procurement and supply of adulterated and substandard ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). This decision follows the filing of a chargesheet by a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had probed irregularities in the ghee tender process and highlighted serious governance failures.
Appointment of the Committee
Through Government Order No. 458 issued on Friday, the state government appointed retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar (RR-1983) to head the inquiry. The committee has been mandated to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report within 45 days. The appointment underscores the government’s intent to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of TTD’s procurement processes.
Background: SIT Investigation Under Supreme Court Supervision
The matter had earlier reached the Supreme Court, which on October 4, 2024, entrusted the probe to an independent SIT under the supervision of the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). After extensive investigation, the SIT filed a chargesheet on January 23, 2026, and submitted a Self-Contained Note (SCN) recommending disciplinary action against erring committee members and senior TTD officers. The SIT’s findings pointed to lapses in enforcing tender conditions, procedural failures, and administrative negligence that required further scrutiny by the state government.
Mandate and Responsibilities of the Committee
The Dinesh Kumar-led panel has been tasked with:
Examining administrative lapses, omissions, and failures in the enforcement and relaxation of tender conditions. Assessing whether decisions were taken with due diligence, justification, and adherence to procedural norms.
Identifying the extent of administrative responsibility of TTD officers, committee members, and other functionaries. Recommending appropriate administrative or disciplinary action against those found responsible.
Restricting its review strictly to administrative and governance aspects, without interfering in ongoing judicial proceedings.
The committee has been empowered to call for official records, seek written explanations from concerned officers, and obtain expert assistance with prior government approval. The TTD has been directed to extend full secretarial and administrative support to facilitate the inquiry.
Deadline and Next Steps
The committee must submit its report within 45 days from the date of issuance of the government order. The report will be recommendatory in nature, and the Andhra Pradesh government will examine its findings before deciding on further administrative or disciplinary measures.
This initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to strengthening governance mechanisms, ensuring procedural compliance, and safeguarding the sanctity of TTD’s operations. By appointing a senior retired IAS officer to lead the probe, the government aims to restore public confidence in the management of one of India’s most revered religious institutions.
