CAG to audit TTD’s accounts from next yr

CAG to audit TTD’s accounts from next yr

TNN | Sep 4, 2020, 04.30 AM IST

Vijayawada: In a big step towards ensuring transparency in its functioning, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board on Thursday decided to entrust the annual audit of the temple body’s accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) from 2020-21.

TTD trust board chairman YV Subba Reddy said in a release that the move will ensure more transparency in auditing while upholding the belief of millions of devotees and donors of Lord Venkateswara. Rajya Sabha MP Subramanyam Swamy had earlier moved the court, seeking timely external audit of the temple body’s accounts.

“By taking into consideration the spirit of criticism in the matter, we have resolved to get the audit done by the CAG. We feel there is a need to instill full faith of pilgrims and donors in the accounting and audit systems of TTD,” Subba Reddy said.

Till now, the temple’s annual audit was being done by the state audit department. The CAG may take over the audit of TTD from 2020-21 as the audit for 2014-15 to 2019-20 has already been completed by the state audit department. Government may also be asked to request the CAG to also undertake a special audit of the previous years and furnish its report within six months. The trust board’s resolution shall be intimated to high court by filing an appropriate affidavit in the matter, Subba Reddy added.