Now KMF writes to TTD, seeks meeting to discuss supply of ghee for laddu prasadam

Related: ‘KMF hasn’t sent ghee to TTD since 2021-22; BJP was in power’

The KMF letter

In a letter to the TTD, KMF said in that in recent times it has not been able to supply ghee due to the highly competitive bids in tenders. It also sought to clarify regarding the controversy in the media over the non-supply of ghee.

“…in recent days KMF was not able to supply ghee to TTD due to highly competitive biddings in tenders and KMF being a co-operative farmer’s organisation, cannot go for competitive bidding in tenders because of difficulty to recover the cost of production of ghee at such rates,” KMF MD MK Jagadish said in a letter to the TTD Executive Officer.

The letter also noted that KMF is currently producing about 30,000 metric tonnes of ghee every year and would be “very happy” to be part of the TTD in the preparation of the laddu prasadam of Lord Sri Venkateshwara, as it considers it as an offering of devotion to the Lord.

“In this regard, we request you to provide a date and time for the meeting, in which we could arrive at a mutual understanding about rates and supplies. Your kind consideration for discussions would be highly appreciated,” the letter added.

Also Read: TTD confirms choosing another, unidentified, supplier over KMF

‘Did not participate in tender process’

The controversy erupted when KMF chairman Bheema Naik’s said that the federation, which sells its products under the brand name Nandini and is known for its quality, cannot compromise on the price, and hence did not participate in the tender process as required by the TTD.

On 30 July the KMF chairman told reporters in the Ballari district of Karnataka, “I think that the laddus will not be the same anymore. I can also assure you that Nandini provides the best ghee in the market and goes through all quality checks. If any brand is supplying ghee for a price lower than Nandini, I assume that the quality will be compromised.”

Naik later clarified that the supply of ghee to TTD has been stopped for more than a year now and is not a “recent occurrence”.

Related: Amit Shah wants Amul and KMF to ‘cooperate’; netizens see red

‘Good relations with TTD’

However, reports and comments regarding the quality of ghee that TTD is currently procuring had elicited a reaction from the temple trust, prompting KMF to clarify its position.

Noting that media coverage regarding the non-supply of ghee to TTD from KMF has taken a political twist, giving scope for different statements from political parties across different media, the letter said KMF has good relations with TTD.

“KMF has clarified to the media only about the reason for non-supply of ghee and its inability to participate in TTD’s ghee supply tender due to competitive bidding, and KMF had never expressed that TTD is procuring low-quality ghee,” it said.

According to KMF, it was supplying ghee in tankers and tins to TTD for the preparation of laddu prasadam at Lord Sri Venkateswara temple and has had an association for more than 20 years.

The ghee manufactured from pure cow milk is best suited for laddu preparation, and Nandini ghee is famous for its special aroma and taste.

Opinion: Amul-Nandini row is about federalism and efforts to undermine it

TTD’s response

On 31 July, Dharna Reddy said the ghee supplier to TTD is chosen by an e-tender process.

He added that another company had emerged as L1 — the lowest bidder, in government-project parlance — by quoting the lowest price, and hence it was chosen over the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).

“As far as the ghee supplied is concerned, TTD has prescribed quality parameters. The ghee from the lowest bidder is tested in our state-of-the-art laboratory. The ghee is taken into TTD for making laddus once it conforms to our parameters,” he added.

Also Read: Karnataka milk prices set to rise by ₹3 per litre from 1 August

The political row

The BJP had accused the Congress government of being “anti-Hindu” and displaying an “indifferent attitude towards temples and Hindus” after KMF Chairman Naik said that KMF hadn’t bid for the tender floated by the TTD.

But the party’s accusation boomeranged when it emerged that the KMF stopped supplying ghee to TTD more than a year ago — when BJP was in power in the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on 1 August, hit back at state BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel, who had accused the Congress government of stopping the supply of ghee, due to its “policy of indifference towards temples, and Hindu beliefs and devotion”.

“The supply of Nandini ghee to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh has not been stopped today or yesterday. The supply of ghee to Tirupati was suspended one-and-a-half years ago, during the @BJP4Karnataka government’s tenure,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.

(With PTI inputs)