TIRUMALA, INDIA, April 4, 2012 (India Times): Facing flak from various quarters, the executive board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to cancel the categorization of VIP darshan tickets. In a major relief for common pilgrims, the TTD board scrapped the three categories – top priority, priority and ordinary – for VIP darshan. The decision was effective starting April 4.
The board meeting chaired by chairman Kanumuri Bapiraju and executive officer L.V. Subramanyam was held at Annamaiah Bhavan on Tuesday. No decision was taken on opening a separate cell for issuing VIP passes in the state assembly. The board, however, decided to wash its hands of the controversial Anantha Swarnamayam (gold plating) project and, instead, entrusted the responsibility of taking any decision to the EO.