THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.18542 of 1999 Dated:14.03.2006 Between: N.Purushotham Chetty, S/o.Venkataiah Chetty, and another. ..... PETITIONER AND Gram Panchayat, Tirumala. .....RESPONDENTS THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.18542 of 1999 ORDER: The two petitioners are residents of Tirumala. They filed the present writ petition seeking a writ of mandamus declaring the action of the Gram Panchayat-Tirumala in prohibiting the Cable Television and erection of Dish Antennas at Tirumala as illegal and arbitrary. They also seek a consequential direction to the respondent not to remove the Dish Antenna and Cable Television network of the petitioners. The second petitioner is allegedly a registered cable operator at R.B.Centre, Tirumala. He is running the Cable Television network since 1996. The respondent issued a notice, dated 13.05.1999, directing the first petitioner to remove the Dish Antenna and Cable Television within seven days. The first petitioner submitted explanation. In spite of the same, as there is a threat of removal of the Dish Antenna and Cable network, he filed the present writ petition. It is the case of the petitioners that the second petitioner obtained a certificate of registration on 18.05.2000 from the Head Post Master, Tirupathi, and as long as there is no prohibition for running the Dish Antenna and Cable Television, the same cannot be prohibited by the respondent. It is also alleged that Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) erected Dish Antenna at Guest House, and therefore, the petitioners cannot be prohibited from running the Cable Television business. Entire Tirumala Hills is considered sacred. As per TTD rules, the land admeasuring 10.1/3 square miles (all the Tirumala Hills) is an endowment to Lord Venkateswara and the administration thereof is entrusted to TTD, which is duly constituted as Gram Panchayat under Estate Officer as Incharge. If the TTD/Gram Panchayat, Tirumala, decides not to permit Cable Television network on Tirumala Hills, it is certainly in the interest of the pilgrims. The facilities provided on Tirumala are for the pilgrims, who regularly come in thousands. The facilities available in Tirumala are not intended for those persons, who make a living by staying at Tirumala either as employees of TTD or businessmen. Therefore, this Court does not find any infirmity in the action of the respondent in issuing the impugned notice. The Writ Petition is therefore, dismissed. No costs. ____________ (V.V.S.RAO, J) 14.03.2006 vs