Steps to increase laddu production at Tirumala

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA, SEPT. 28. With the annual Brahmotsavams of Lord Venkateswara approaching fast, the TTD management has accelerated steps to increase the laddu production.

As part of its efforts, the TTD after lengthy talks with the executives of Mico Bosch, a private firm and sole manufacturer of the first ever `laddu making machine' installed in the temple kitchen (potu), has also agreed to pay the required maintenance cost to the company. Though the TTD purchased the machine at a cost of Rs.50 lakhs it failed to produce the required number of 20,000 laddus a day as assured by the company.

The TTD, which took up the issue as a matter of prestige, negotiated with the company officers, who also came at different intervals, whenever the machine developed snags. In spite of several repair works, the machine could not deliver more than 6000 to 8000 laddus a day on an average. The company claimed that there were no manufacturing defects and that the repairs were of a minor nature and were solely due to the mishandling by inexperienced workers. The TTD, on their part, argued that it was the responsibility of the company to see that the machine functions well and the production was upto the mark of 2000 laddus an hour, as assured by them at the time of its delivery.

Breaking the deadlock, the TTD, however, agreed to bear the maintenance expenses and invited the company officials who took up the repair works since Wednesday.

According to the TTD joint executive officer, Mr. P. Balasubramanyam, the repair works are expected to be completed within a day or two and the machine would be ready before the Brahmotsavams. Once the machine is ready, the TTD is hopeful of meeting the demand for laddus from the visiting pilgrims.

Apart from this, the TTD management also had several rounds of talks with the agitating potu workers who inturn have promised that at least one lakh laddus would be produced every day, keeping in view the rush of pilgrims. The TTD, on its part, has initiated stringent steps at least to maintain a buffer stock of two lakh laddus so as to meet any kind of eventuality arising from the side of the visiting pilgrims for more laddus.

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Section  : Southern States
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