The Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam has dismissed as false and baseless reports in a section of the electronic media that the preparation and distribution of annaprasadam at Indrakeeladri was being handed over to a private agency.

Clarifying the issue on Tuesday, Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik said the Devasthanam had not entrusted the preparation, management or distribution of annaprasadam to any private organisation. The day-to-day management of the nitya annadanam programme, including supervision, menu, quality standards and serving of food to devotees, would continue to remain entirely under the control of the Devasthanam.

Mr. Seena Naik said the initiative was aimed at setting up a modern mechanised kitchen to provide lakhs of devotees visiting Indrakeeladri with hygienic, healthy and quality annaprasadam in a faster and more efficient manner.

With the growing influx of devotees, the Devasthanam is adopting advanced steam-based cooking technology to ensure high standards of hygiene in accordance with GMP and FSSAI norms, minimise food wastage and reduce manual intervention in cooking.

The Devasthanam said the new facility should not be construed as privatisation. The role of the Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation/Akshaya Patra Foundation (HKMCF APCR) is limited to supplying and installing advanced steam-based cooking equipment, stainless steel insulated vessels and utility systems capable of preparing food for 10,000 persons a day.

The organisation will also commission the facility and provide technical training to Devasthanam staff for its operation and maintenance. All installation works will be carried out transparently under the technical supervision of the Devasthanam’s Engineering Department, the EO said.