Hyderabad: Political infighting within the ruling Congress party in Nalgonda district is causing delays in setting up the Yadagirigutta Temple Development (YTD) Trust Board. This board is planned to be similar to the famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in Tirupati. Influential figures like N Uttam Kumar Reddy and the Komatireddy brothers are actively pushing to get their candidates appointed to the board.
The State government had decided to create the YTD, inspired by the TTD model. A senior official mentioned that the government plans to create trust boards for temples earning over Rs 100 crore annually. Since Yadagirigutta Temple falls into this category, a board is planned. In March, the government changed the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Amendment Act 2025 to support this move.
However, internal politics in Nalgonda district have put the plan on hold. Local representatives were informed, but their reaction was not supportive, and they requested a delay. Several district MLAs are interested in board positions due to the temple’s Rs 224 crore annual revenue. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently urged officials to quickly set up the board following the TTD model to improve the management and development of this key pilgrimage site.
The proposed YTD will have 18 members, compared to the 29-member TTD Board. It will include a Chairman, nine members, one member from the State Legislative Assembly or Council, and representatives from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Backward Classes (BC), and Women categories. A member from the founder trustee family will also be included. Additionally, four ex officio members, such as the Principal Secretary Revenue, the Commissioner of Endowments, and the Executive Officer of Yadagirigutta Temple, will be part of the board.
The board members will serve for two years without a salary but will receive Travelling Allowance and Dearness Allowance. Officials said the government will officially announce the board’s formation once they get approval from higher authorities.
