Senior BRS Leader KT Rama Rao Appeals for Urgent Intervention in Sircilla Power Loom Crisis
In a significant development highlighting the plight of textile workers, senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and Sircilla MLA KT Rama Rao has made an urgent appeal to Telangana's deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka and agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao. The appeal centers on rescuing Sircilla's weavers from a deepening electricity crisis that threatens their very survival.
Memorandum Submitted for Waiver of Electricity Dues
KTR submitted a detailed memorandum to the ministers, specifically requesting the waiver of back billing and surcharge amounts imposed on the Sircilla textile industry. He emphasized the critical need for the continuation of uninterrupted electricity subsidy benefits and immediate financial relief measures. The leader warned that without such intervention, workers might be driven to desperate measures, including suicide, as has tragically occurred in the past.
KTR brought to Deputy CM Bhatti's attention the historical context of the crisis, noting that Sircilla textile workers had previously resorted to suicides due to financial distress. He explained that the industry had achieved a degree of stability during the previous government's tenure, thanks to increased electricity subsidies covering units up to 25 horsepower. However, this stability is now severely compromised.
Burden of Back Billing Threatens Livelihoods
The core of the crisis lies in what KTR described as the burden of 'back billing' imposed by electricity officials. This practice has placed thousands of families in jeopardy. According to KTR's submission, officials have imposed a back billing burden of approximately Rs 19 crore on about 127 small-scale industry (SSI) units, covering the period from 2016 to 2024. When combined with accumulated surcharges, this amount has ballooned to a staggering Rs 38 crore.
"The closure of several units unable to pay these dues is already a reality," KTR stated with concern. He cited the recent and heartbreaking suicides of 13 workers directly linked to this financial distress. The leader passionately urged the government to cancel these bills on humanitarian grounds, arguing that such action is essential to support the weavers and prevent further tragedy.
A Plea for Immediate Action to Protect an Industry
Beyond the waiver, KTR called for immediate and decisive intervention to protect the Sircilla textile industry as a whole. He stressed that the issue transcends regional boundaries, representing a matter of survival for thousands of families dependent on this traditional craft. The livelihoods of workers, many of whom have dedicated their lives to weaving, hang in the balance.
The appeal underscores a critical intersection of industrial policy, social welfare, and economic survival. KTR's intervention highlights how administrative decisions regarding electricity billing can have devastating human consequences, transforming a utility issue into a life-or-death situation for vulnerable workers.
As the Telangana government considers this appeal, the fate of Sircilla's weavers and the future of its iconic textile industry remain uncertain. The call for action is not merely about financial figures but about preserving a community's way of life and preventing further loss of life in one of India's important handloom centers.
