Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao has accused the Centre of delaying the sanctioning of a mega power loom cluster for Sircilla and termed it nothing short of a political vendetta against Telangana and the weaver community. He asked the Centre to announce a power loom cluster in the upcoming Union budget, putting an end to a decade-long injustice. He urged the Centre to act beyond politics, uphold the spirit of cooperative federalism, and take an immediate, positive decision in the interest of Telangana’s weavers.In a letter to Union minister for textiles Giriraj Singh on Monday, KTR condemned the deliberate delay and discriminatory approach of the BJP-led central govt in sanctioning a mega power loom cluster, exposing the Centre’s persistent apathy despite Sircilla fulfilling every eligibility norm under the comprehensive powerloom cluster development scheme (CPCDS).KTR stated that the demand for a power loom cluster for Sircilla was not new, but was pending for over a decade. He recalled that he addressed multiple letters to the Centre, besides holding several personal meetings with Union ministers over the last 12 years. “Despite meeting central ministers nearly 10 times and submitting detailed reports, the Centre failed to take a positive decision. What is the real reason behind keeping Sircilla’s file aside?” KTR questioned.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, while denying the same to Sircilla despite its proven strength. “The problem is not lack of merit; the problem is BJP’s political hostility towards Telangana,” he asserted.KTR accused BJP MPs and Union ministers from Telangana of completely failing to protect the interests of the state. “Despite Telangana electing eight BJP MPs and having representation in the Union cabinet, they failed to even voice the agony of Sircilla’s weavers. They were reduced to mere ceremonial showpieces,” he alleged. “BJP leaders use Telangana only for votes, not for securing development or funds,” he added.
