Amid Tirupati laddu row, Karnataka uses GPS to track ghee
The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has installed a geo-positioning system (GPS) on its vehicles that deliver ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the Tirupati temple, in Andhra Pradesh. This action comes amid concerns about the quality of the ghee used in the making of "Tirupati laddus." KMF Managing Director MK Jagadish confirmed that the Nandini Ghee supply was restored after TTD awarded a tender to KMF a month ago.
GPS tracking to prevent ghee adulteration
Jagadish explained that the GPS and Geo Location Devices were installed on their vehicles "to find where they stop." He emphasized that this measure is intended to ensure no adulteration occurs during transit. The KMF has been contracted to supply 350 tons of ghee for the temple's needs. The controversy began after the Gujarat-based National Dairy Board tested the ghee used in preparing Tirupati laddus and found traces of "foreign fat."
Lab reports reveal foreign fats in ghee
The report listed potential foreign fats, which included soybean, sunflower, olive, rapeseed, linseed, wheat germ, maize germ, cottonseed, fish oil, coconut palm kernel fat, palm oil, beef tallow, and lard. TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao confirmed that lab tests revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in chosen samples. The board is now in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied this adulterated ghee.
Political row over Tirupati laddu ghee controversy
The issue has also triggered a political row, with Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu claiming that animal fat was used for making Tirupati laddus during the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government. This claim has been met with strong opposition from the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), which accused Naidu of making "heinous allegations" for political gains.
