Chandrababu Naidu applies brakes on Tirumala hawker licences

Tirupati: Prospects of 450 hawkers is hanging in balance with Chief Minister taking a tough stand against issuance of licences to them. The stand of the chief minister came to be known during the Sankranti festivities in his native Naravaripalli, 20 km from Tirupati, when Naidu said that he was aware of the issue, including the locals opposing issuance of licences to hawkers. He categorically said that there would not be any issuance of licences in Tirumala.

When a reporter persisted on the licences issuance, the CM reiterated, “no hawker licence will be issued in Tirumala.” It is pertinent to note that the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams trust board in its meeting held on January 8 decided to refer the hawker licence issue to a sub-committee and also agreed to implement its report straight away without any further discussion by the Board which stirred the hornet’s nest. The trust board resolution was the result of persistent demand for issuing fresh hawker licence.

Against this backdrop, it is to be seen whether the sub-committee set up by TTD trust board will go ahead with the proposal of issuing of 450 hawker licence after screening the applications. Meanwhile, Tirumala Sthanikula Samkshema Sangham (TSSS) formed by the locals and traders of Tirumala, which is vehemently opposing any move to issuance of hawker licence, fearing that it would hit the local interests hard.

The Sangham has submitted a representation to TTD management against issuance of hawker licence. TSSS also decided to launch a stir if the TTD did not give up the proposal. In the meanwhile, a delegation of TSSS tried in vain to meet CM at Naravaripalli but their issue was taken to the CM’s notice by some TDP leaders.