Probe initiated into VIP treatment to Bachchans at Tirupati

Updated at 8.30 PM

TIRUPATI: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Board has asked its Executive Officer to probe the alleged overenthusiasm shown by some TTD members in providing VIP treatment to Bollywood couple Aiswarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan during their recent visit to the Tirumala temple recently, causing discomfort to other devotees.

The Board also upheld a decision that VIP treatment would not be accorded to non-protocol celebrities like actors, industrialists and cricketers during their visits to the temple.

Board chairman B Karunakara Reddy told reporters that newly-appointed Executive Officer KV Ramanachary was asked to probe the "over-enthusiasm" shown by some officials in providing VIP treatment to Aiswarya and Abhishek, which caused inconvenience to other people visiting the shrine.

Ramanachary will submit his report within 30 days, he said.

Reddy said "VIP-break darshan", whereby persons are allowed to enter the temple on priority for an hour in the morning and evening, would not be allowed on Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays.

The price of the "VIP-break darshans" too was hiked from Rs 200 to Rs 500, and this will come into effect from May 1.

The Board also decided to provide a free 'ladoo prasadam', now sold for Rs 25, to each person standing in the general queue from May 12, Reddy said.