Reportedly VIP break darshan, which gives privileged access to those close to the powers that be, is soon going to be available even to devotees, with some conditions. Presently the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is contemplating linking a certain number of VIP break darshan tickets to donations made to the Srivani trust. Meanwhile the scheme, for which the modalities are being drawn up, is said to be the brain-child of TTD executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal.
Accordingly donors have so far contributed over Rs 25 lakh to the trust. Mr Singhal said the details of donations and donors will be placed on the TTD website. When taking pilgrim-friendly measures a step ahead, the temple administration is now contemplating linking the donations to VIP break darshan. Furthermore reliable sources told it was proposed that the TTD issue a VIP break darshan ticket to every devotee who donates Rs 10,000 to the Srivani Trust. Apparently a quota will be earmarked for this scheme.
Moreover the TTD had revoked the categorization of the VIP break darshan tickets as L1, L2 and L3 and the decision followed a public interest litigation filed before the Andhra Pradesh High Court against the VIP darshan. Perhaps petitioner J. Venkata Subbarao claimed that the practice was discriminative and infringed on a slew of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
