Hyderabad, Jan 19 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao has strongly condemned the alleged “deliberate delay and discriminatory approach” of the BJP-led Central Government in sanctioning a Mega Power Loom Cluster for Sircilla, calling it nothing short of a political vendetta against Telangana and its weaving community.

The former minister, who represents Sircilla constituency in the State Assembly, on Monday wrote a strongly-worded letter to the Union Minister for Textiles, Giriraj Singh, ‘exposing the Centre’s persistent apathy’ despite Sircilla fulfilling every eligibility norm under the Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (CPCDS).

Rama Rao stated that the demand for a Mega Power Loom Cluster for Sircilla is not new, but has been pending for over a decade. He recalled that he had written multiple letters to the Union Government besides holding several personal meetings with Union Ministers over the last 12 years.

“Despite meeting Central Ministers nearly ten times and submitting detailed reports, the Centre has failed to take a positive decision. What is the real reason behind keeping Sircilla’s file aside?” Rama Rao questioned.

Recalling his meetings with leaders ranging from late Arun Jaitley to Smriti Irani and the present Minister, he said that even Central teams had confirmed Sircilla’s eligibility under the CPCDS norms.

“If merit is not the issue, then why this continued neglect? Is Telangana being punished for political reasons?” he asked, alleging that the Centre’s conduct amounts to open discrimination against Telangana weavers.

Describing Sircilla as the backbone of Telangana’s textile economy, Rama Rao 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 the BJP’s political hostility towards Telangana,” he asserted.

Rama Rao further explained that under the leadership of former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the 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.

“Keeping the proposal pending without citing any technical or financial reason is nothing but administrative arrogance,” he said.

Rama Rao 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. Their governance is limited to slogans, not solutions,” he remarked.

He warned that the Centre’s delay is forcing Sircilla’s weavers to pay a heavy human and economic price.

“The handloom sector has once again slipped into crisis, and reports of weavers’ suicides are resurfacing. At such a critical time, the Centre’s inaction amounts to attacking the very livelihood of weavers,” he said.

He 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 have failed to even voice the agony of Sircilla’s weavers. They have been reduced to mere ceremonial showpieces,” he alleged. “BJP leaders use Telangana only for votes, not for securing development or funds,” he added.

He demanded that the forthcoming Union Budget must officially announce the Sircilla Mega Power Loom Cluster, putting an end to a decade-long injustice. He urged the Union Government to act beyond politics, uphold the spirit of cooperative federalism, and take an immediate, positive decision in the interest of Telangana’s weavers.

–IANS

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