Take over Trust to ensure philanthropic activities: TDP to govt

The Telugu Desam Party on Friday demanded that the state government immediately take control of the properties of the Satya Sai Central Trust so that its philanthropic activities continue unhindered in light of allegations that the property of the Trust was being pillaged.

Telugu Desam Party state general secretary Varla Ramaiah told media persons at the NTR Trust Bhavan that doubts have arisen about the security of the Trust properties after the recent seizure of cash which was being transferred to Bangalore.

“The transfer of assets, allegedly with the connivance of Trust members which came to light recently has sown doubts in the minds of devotees. The allegations that the Trust members are involved in corruption and misappropriation of properties have to be taken seriously,” Mr Ramaiah said.

He appealed to the government to take immediate steps for protecting the assets and properties of the Trust.

The senior TDP leader appealed to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to order for a probe into transferring of assets and properties from the Trust. “The government should punish all guilty and should not spare anybody, whoever they may be, regardless of their official position,” he added.

“The government should also take steps to dispel doubts among scores of devotees on the happenings in the Satya Sai Central Trust by ordering an impartial probe into entire affairs of Trust members and the transfer of properties,” Mr Ramaiah continued.

“Lack of transparency is leading to the creation of apprehensions and the government's silence on the issue baffling," the TDP leader continued.

Steps are needed to ensure that the properties and valuables of the Trust should not fall into hands of vested interests, but instead utilised properly and for continuing the philanthropic activities which had been carried out by the Trust, Mr Ramaiah urged.