TTD circular evokes resentment

• EO directs its staff to refrain from approaching media
• Employees unions say the circular is an attack on freedom of expression

Tirupati: In a significant move, the TTD management directed its employees to refrain from approaching print and electronic media on any subjects relating to the TTD, appearing with VVIPs visiting the shrine for darshan and not to participate in editing or management of any newspaper or non-governmental publications.

In the recently issued circular which naturally created ripples in the TTD circles more so among the employees and their leaders, the Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal also instructed the employees not to participate in radio broadcast or drama or any tele-serial or feature film or contribute any article or write any letters in his own name or anonymously, pseudonymously or in the name of any other person, to any newspaper or periodical except with the previous sanction of government as per the conduct rules.

The circular said that a negative way of communication is being communicated to the outsiders on this (TTD) prestigious institution with the employees not following the instruction violating the rules.

The EO cautioned the employees that any deviation found will be viewed seriously and necessary disciplinary action will be initiated. Owing to number of complaints and criticisms that are being brought to the notice of the higher authorities, the HoDs/section heads are strictly instructed to see that the employees working under their control to follow the circular direction without fail.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the various employees’ unions in TTD though did not come out openly against the circular, strongly resented it and termed it as a severe attack on freedom of expression and feared that it would ultimately hit hard the interests of the employees. On condition of anonymity, they demanded the withdrawal of the circular.

However, the CITU to which various contract employees’ associations in TTD were affiliated and having allegiance of a big chunk of employees came out openly against the circular. In a meeting here, CITU leaders including state Vice-President P Ajay Kumar, district general secretary K Murali criticised TTD EO and said it is against freedom of expression.

Of late, anti-democratic tendencies prevailing more in TTD and the circular clear show such undesirable tendencies reaching its peak. The two leaders said that how for such a circular will be justified in a spiritual organisation like TTD.

TTD bars mobiles in CRO office

Tirupati: The TTD issued a memo against the employees working in the Central Reception Office (CRO), Tirumala keeping mobile phones with them while on duty. In the memo issued recently, all the staff of the CRO were instructed to deposit their mobiles with concerned superintendent or managers, before reporting for duty.

Any defiance on the instructions will be viewed seriously and the matter will be placed before the higher authorities to initiate disciplinary action, the memo added. In the memo, Deputy Executive Officer (Special Grade) said that
during the routine inspections, he noticed that the staff working in the counters in CRO, Tirumala found talking and playing with mobiles while on duty unmindful of the pilgrims waiting in front of their counters for allotment of rooms.

In spite of repeated instructions, the staff failed to change their callous attitude necessitating the ban on mobile phones. Interestingly, the ban is limited to CRO staff while the employees working in other reception centres including MBC 34, Sri Padmavathi Guest House and Kousthabham where rooms allotted to pilgrims based on the recommendation letters from VIPs including politicians and officials were allowed to carry them.

The memo was opposed by employees and also unions on the ground that it will cause inconvenience to the staff working in CRO and wanted the TTD allow employees have cell phones with them in CRO counters.