Film stars not VIPs at Tirumala : says TTD Chief

April 27, 2007

Tirupati, April 26, (TIRUPATITIMES.COM)

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that manages the famous hill temple of Lord Venketeswara at Tirumala near here today ordered a probe into "over-enthusiasm" shown by some officials in providing VIP treatment to newly-wed Aiswarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan during their visit to the shrine on April 22.

In the wake strong criticism over the VIP treatment provided to the star couple, VIP Treatment, hereafter, would not be accorded to Cine celebrities, Industrialists, Business magnates, Cricketers and others of non-protocol category during their visit at the famous hill shrine TTD Board Chairman, Mr. B. Karunakara Reddy announced today.

Talking to a huge band of media persons on the hills, Mr. Reddy said that the TTD Board in its meeting held on the hills on Thursday has decided to say good-bye to the practice of giving VIP treatment to the non protocol people including film stars during their visit to hill temple with immediate effect.

The Board also asked the new Executive Officer of TTD, Mr. K.V. Raman to probe into the episode and submit a detailed report in 30 days, Mr. Reddy said.

Interestingly, the Board also decided to distribute one laddu prasadam (now sold at Rs.25 each) free to every pilgrim who throngs the shrine through general queue line on the hills from May 12 this year.

The board also resolved to cancel VIP break darshan at the shrine for three days - Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The price of the VIP Break darshan ticket has also been hiked from Rs.200 to Rs. 500 and it would come into force from May 1, Mr. Reddy added.

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