Tirupati Rules: Tirumala Laddus To Be Made With Different Ghee After Nandini Pulls Out

The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which supplies ghee to Andhra Pradesh's Tirumala Venkateswara temple under the brand name Nandini, has decided to discontinue its supply due to a price dispute.

The KMF chose not to participate in the tender process for ghee supply as it was unwilling to offer ghee at a competitive rate.

Jagadish, MD of KMF, explained, "In the tender process, participants quote their prices, and the lowest bidder wins. We have quoted a rate of almost Rs 400 per kg. If someone quotes Rs 1 or 2 less, the tender will be awarded to them. We are not aware of the price at which they are procuring, but our cost is above 400 rupees as per our procurement."

He further stated that KMF is an organization working for the welfare of farmers, and offering ghee at lower prices would lead to losses.

"Our price is fixed. We stated that we would supply ghee at our rate, but they (TTD) were not willing to accept it. Hence, we are not supplying," Jagadish added.

However, TTD executive officer Dharma Reddy refuted KMF's claim, calling it "incorrect," and clarified that the trust procures items only through e-tenders.

"He (KMF president) is making allegations that TTD has not allowed them to supply ghee. The statement of KMF's president is not correct. I would like to clarify that TTD procures required items only through e-tenders. Since it is an e-tender, we do not know the participants until we open it," said Reddy.

He explained that as a government organisation, TTD awards contracts to the lowest bidder according to the tender conditions and procedures.