The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which administers the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala near Tirupati, has for the first time in its history, given the green signal to the controversial issue of involving women barbers at the tonsure centre there.

Revealing TTD's decision to mediapersons on Monday, Board chairman Dr T Subbirami Reddy said women barbers would render their services only on contract basis and not as permanent employees for female devotees.

It may be recalled that the TTD Board had decided to recruit women barbers in April 2004. But they had to think it
over as the issue became controversial after some religious personalities expressed reservations about the decision.

The TTD Board also decided to soon prepare a gold plated 'Gaja Vahana' at a cost of Rs 50 lakh and a 'Garuda Vahana' at a cost of Rs 27 lakh for the shrine of Sri Padmavathi at Tiruchanur near Tirupati, Reddy said.