There is irrefutable evidence of adulteration of TTD’s ‘Laddu Prasadam’: Minister Payyavula Keshav

Minister Keshav alleges TTD's laddu ghee was adulterated, revealing a ₹240 crore fraud needing urgent investigation.

State Finance Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Payyavula Keshav insisted that the ghee used by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to make laddus was adulterated with animal fat, and the same was established by the Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, in 2022 itself.

However, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Government had kept the CFTRI’s findings a closely guarded secret in order to protect those involved in the offensive act, he alleged.

Addressing a press conference at the TDP central office near Mangalagiri on Saturday (January 31, 2026), Mr. Keshav said after the coalition government was formed in 2024, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) ‘s Centre of Analysis & Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) reiterated the fact that the ghee was adulterated, after doing a thorough analysis of the samples.

The YSRCP leaders who were saying that those involved in the case got a clean chit should prove their claim, he demanded.

Mr. Keshav said the crux of the matter was the relaxation of norms related to ghee supply by the YSRCP Government. It was a ₹240 crore fraud that required an in-depth probe.

The TDP Government of 2014-19 had stipulated that traders supplying ghee to TTD should have a minimum annual turnover of ₹250 crore and a proven quality track record of at least three years.