Hyderabad, Jan.19 (RAHNUMA):Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Tuesday accused the BJP-led Central Government of deliberately delaying the sanction of a Mega Power Loom Cluster for Sircilla, calling it a political vendetta against Telangana’s weaving community.
In a letter to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, KTR said Sircilla fulfilled all eligibility norms under the Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (CPCDS), yet its proposal has remained pending for over a decade. He alleged that the Centre’s inaction amounted to a “murder of cooperative federalism”.
KTR said he had written multiple letters and held nearly 10 meetings with Union Ministers over the last twelve years, and that the Central inspection teams had already confirmed Sircilla’s eligibility. “If merit is not the issue, then what explains this continued neglect?” he asked.
Describing Sircilla as the backbone of Telangana’s textile sector, KTR noted that the town houses over 30,000 power looms and supports thousands of families. He criticised the Centre for approving Mega Clusters in other States with lower capacity while ignoring Sircilla despite the Telangana government completing all preparatory work, including land allocation, power, water and clearances.
Taking aim at the BJP’s flagship initiatives, KTR said slogans such as “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” ring hollow when a proven textile hub like Sircilla is neglected. “This exposes the Centre’s double standards and lack of sincerity,” he remarked. He warned that the continued delay has worsened the crisis faced by weavers, particularly after the Congress came to power in Telangana.
Warning of a renewed crisis in the handloom sector, the BRS leader said weavers were once again facing severe distress, with reports of suicides resurfacing. He also accused BJP MPs from Telangana of failing to raise the issue.
KTR demanded that the forthcoming Union Budget announce the Sircilla Mega Power Loom Cluster and urged the Centre to take an immediate decision in the interest of Telangana’s weavers.
