Centre’s delay on Sircilla power loom mega cluster is political vendetta against Telangana weavers: KTR

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former Minister, K. T. Rama Rao, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of deliberately delaying the sanction of Mega Power Loom Cluster for Sircilla, calling it nothing short of a political vendetta against Telangana and its weaving community.

In a letter to the Union Minister for Textiles, Giriraj Singh, he said this discriminatory approach exposed the Centre’s persistent apathy despite Sircilla fulfilling every eligibility norm under the Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (CPCDS).

KTR said that the demand for a Mega Power Loom Cluster for Sircilla is not new and he had addressed multiple letters to the Union Government besides holding several personal meetings with Union Ministers over the last twelve years.

He said that even Central teams had confirmed Sircilla’s eligibility under CPCDS norms. “If merit is not the issue, then why this continued neglect? Is Telangana being punished for political reasons?” he asked.

Over 30,000 power looms in Sircilla

Describing Sircilla as the backbone of Telangana’s textile economy, KTR pointed out that the region houses over 30,000 power looms and provides livelihood to thousands of families. He criticised the Centre for sanctioning Mega Clusters to regions in other States with far lower capacity and workforce and ignoring Sircilla.

KTR further explained that the previous Telangana Government had completed all preparatory work for the Mega Cluster, including land allocation, uninterrupted power and water supply, single-window clearances and State-level incentives.

Taking aim at the Centre, he said the BJP Government speaks loudly about ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, but fails to support one of the most capable textile hubs in the country. “This exposes the BJP’s double standards and lack of sincerity,” he remarked.

KTR accused BJP MPs and Union Ministers from Telangana of completely failing to protect the interests of the State. He demanded that the forthcoming Union Budget must officially announce the Sircilla Mega Power Loom Cluster, putting an end to a decade-long injustice.