The unprecedented stampede in Tirupati that caused the death of six devotees has exposed collapse of both TTD and district administration, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s announcing suspension of two junior officials surprised every one. Many watching how he was disturbed with the incident, expected he would take stern action against some key officials.
He only announced that DSP Ramana Kumar and Goshala Director Haranath Reddy were being suspended for their irresponsible behavior. Moreover, SP Subbarayudu, JEO Gauthami, and CSO Sridhar were transferred immediately. Anyhow transfer may not be considered as a `disciplinary action’.
CM Chandrababu himself expressed shock, stating that he was now aware of why issuing tokens were started at Tirupati, for the first time in TTD history. By cautioning both EO and JEOs at TTD to work in coordination, he himself admitted lack of coordination at top level. Likewise, the district collector is also not involved actively in arrangements.
The Chief Minister’s announcement of conducting a judiciary inquiry may only help to dilute the seriousness of the incident. CM Chandrababu’s words itself reveal failure of the administration. He said : “Giving tickets in Tirupati is a tradition that did not exist in the past. Vaikuntha darshan was increased to 10 days, I do not know why it was increased like that. It is not good to change the traditions that have existed since the beginning in Tirumala. Temple practices should be according to Agama Shastra”.
However, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan targeting the TTD higher officials reveals that he is not happy that the Chief Minister is only acting on junior officials, failing to fix responsibility on senior officials. Demanding that VIP culture should put an end at Tirumala, he demanded for cleaning of the TTD administration.
Though he did not name Trust Board Chairman BR Naidu, he said that the TTD Board failed. He mainly pointed out lack of proper coordination between EO Shyamala Rao and JEO Venkanna Choudhary, reflecting on successive failures. Asking both of them to hold responsibility for the stampede incident, indirectly he suggested action against them.
Though Pawan Kalyan also said the police failed in its duties, surprisingly he was silent in the district administration.
