Singhal, a 1993-batch officer, earlier served from 2017 to 2020—the longest stint so far—and briefly held additional charge in 2022.
Published Sep 09, 2025 | 12:44 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 09, 2025 | 12:44 PM
The Tirupati Sri Venkateswara Temple. (Official website)
Synopsis: For Chandrababu Naidu, the stakes are high. He must restore public faith in temple administration and blunt opposition criticism. Singhal is seen as the safe bet. He has experience, credibility, and a record of raising revenues. But challenges lie ahead.
The Andhra Pradesh government has brought back senior IAS officer Anil Kumar Singhal as Executive Officer (EO) of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board. He replaces J Shyamala Rao.
The move is part of a reshuffle of 11 IAS officers in the state. It signals Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s push to reform and stabilise the operations of the world’s richest temple trust.
This is the first time an IAS officer has been appointed twice to the post. Singhal, a 1993-batch officer, earlier served from 2017 to 2020—the longest stint so far—and briefly held additional charge in 2022. He will assume charge on Wednesday, 10 September.
Singhal’s first term saw big changes. He launched the Sri Vani Trust tickets, raising ₹400–500 crore a year. He brought in a token system for darshan. He also shifted non-Hindu staff out of sensitive roles.
These reforms improved efficiency and revenues. But they also sparked controversy. Allegations of missing jewels, the removal of chief priest AV Ramana Deekshitulu, and criticism over Singhal’s “North Indian” tag stirred the pot.
Shyamala Rao, a 1997-batch officer, took charge in June 2024. His 15-month tenure was marked by crisis after crisis.
A stampede during Vaikuntha Ekadasi darshan ticket distribution killed devotees. He clashed openly with TTD Chairman BR Naidu in front of the chief minister. Rumours of cow deaths in the TTD Goshala drew opposition fire. His failure to stop religious propaganda on temple premises hurt further. He also skipped a lunar eclipse ritual, forcing the chairman to lock the sanctum.
Rao started as Naidu’s trusted choice. But his style, coupled with friction with the chairman, cost him. He has now been shifted to the GAD as Principal Secretary (Political).
The laddu-ghee scandal deepened the churn. On 18 September 2024, Chandrababu Naidu alleged that adulterated ghee, including animal fat, was used during YSRCP rule which sparked a nationwide outrage.
Shamal Rao announced that adulterated ghee was detected in July 2024, after the TDP came to power. The stock was rejected and never used. The Supreme Court later pulled up Naidu for making unverified charges. YSRCP leaders accused the government of politicising the issue.
For Naidu, the stakes are high. He must restore public faith in temple administration and blunt opposition criticism. Singhal is seen as the safe bet. He has experience, credibility, and a record of raising revenues. But challenges lie ahead. Old controversies may return. Regional unease over a non-Telugu EO could resurface. And SIT and CBI probes will test his ability to ensure transparency.
His appointment does not appear a routine transfer. It is a strategic move, reflecting Naidu’s bid to bring order after a year of turbulence.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
