Donations to touch `800 cr by March

Tirupati: The donation to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Annaprasadam Trust is to touch a whopping Rs 800 crore by March this year. TTD has floated several trusts to receive contributions from the devotees world over to support its social service activities in various fields including free food for visiting pilgrims in Tirumala, Tirupati, Tiruchanoor and also to patients in the hospital in Tirupati, education, health, etc.

Sri Venkateswara Annaprasadam Trust is the one which is on the top of the trusts set up by TTD that are receiving donations from the devotees all over the globe.

Particularly the flow of donations to Annaprasadam trust which was set up in 1984, has gained momentum in the recent years which was evident with the trust receiving more than Rs 100 crore in the past one year itself.

The TTD on its part increased the quantum and quality of food being served under the scheme daily which is now benefitting a total of more than two lakh people.

TTD EO Dr D Sambasiva Rao while reviewing Annaprasadam Trust activities in his chamber in TTD administrative building here on Saturday evening wanted the wing to focus on preparation of food in a tastier manner and in an enhanced hygienic environment to the multitude of visiting pilgrims to Tirumala.

EO said, by the end of 2016-17 financial year, the donations to SV Annaprasadam Trust will touch Rs.800 crore. The Annaprasadam officials should chalk out an action plan to come out with more delicious dishes with a better hygiene.

The Trust should become self reliant and should reduce the usage of diesel and enhance the usage of gas. "To study on this, a committee will be constituted soon", he added.

The devotees can donate their largesse even in cash for the rice and Annaprasadams during their personal memorable occasions like wedding days, birth days and other important days.

"A meal costs Rs.25. In Tirumala we have been serving food to one lakh pilgrims in the form of annaprasadams and breakfast menu on a single day at a cost of Rs.25 lakhs. For 1000 pilgrims it is Rs.25000.

The devotees can donate to not less than 1000 pilgrims. If they want to donate for a day meals then the devotees can pay a cash of Rs.25 lakhs. Some devotees have already expressed their wish to donate for a day's meal of the pilgrims", he added.

Adding further the EO said, even they can donate for 1000 kilos of rice. "We have fixed the price at Rs.40. For one tonne, the donor can pay Rs.40000 and the donations can be made in the form of cheque, DDs, e-Donation etc to Annaprasadam Trust and can get tax exemption", he maintained.

Tirupati JEO P Bhaskar, CE Sri Chandrasekhar Reddy, Additional FACAO Balaji and others were also present.