TTD Board Member Seeks Withdrawal of Karnataka Cabinet Proposal on Tirumala Choultry

In a representation submitted to Karnataka Chief Minister, Reddy sought the withdrawal of Cabinet Note  and the cancellation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 1, 2026, between the Karnataka Religious Endowments (Muzrai) Department and KSTDC.

He also urged the government to halt any physical handover of the premises and continue managing the choultry through the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department as a non-profit guest house for pilgrims visiting Lord Venkateswara.

In his representation, Reddy stated that the 6.47-cent property at Tirumala belonged to TTD and was leased to the Karnataka Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department for 30 years, from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2050, at an annual ground rent of Rs 2.30 per square foot.

He contended that the lease was granted exclusively for establishing a charitable choultry to accommodate Karnataka pilgrims visiting Tirumala and did not authorise the transfer, subletting or assignment of its management to a commercial entity.

Reddy further argued that the property falls under the jurisdiction of Andhra Pradesh and is governed by the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987.

Citing Section 80 of the Act, he maintained that properties belonging to religious institutions or endowments could not be transferred or subleased without prior approval from the competent authority.

He objected to the proposed arrangement involving commercial operations and a 50:50 sharing of net income between the Karnataka department and KSTDC, stating that it would divert the choultry from its charitable purpose.

He also expressed concern over the proposed allocation of 50 per cent of VIP accommodation blocks based on departmental recommendation letters, arguing that pilgrims’ interests should remain the priority.

The TTD Board member said the proposal had caused concern among devotees in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, who expected the facility to continue serving pilgrims as a charitable institution rather than operate as a commercial hospitality establishment.

Reddy urged the Karnataka Chief Minister to intervene immediately, rescind the cabinet proposal and MoU, prevent the transfer of the premises, and ensure that the choultry continued to function in accordance with the lease conditions and applicable endowments law.

The representation was also forwarded to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Executive Officer of TTD for information and necessary action.