KTR seeks waiver of power dues for Sircilla looms

KT Rama Rao urged the Telangana government to waive electricity arrears for Sircilla powerloom units, warning of deepening crisis. He sought subsidies and financial aid to protect weavers’ livelihoods amid mounting dues and industry distress

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao has urged the State government to waive electricity arrears and surcharges imposed on powerloom units in Sircilla. He said the textile industry was already facing a serious crisis, and imposing electricity arrears and surcharges would only worsen weavers’ condition.

Along with MLC L Ramana, Rama Rao met Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka at the Assembly and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate relief for weavers. He also submitted a representation to Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on the issue.

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He demanded complete waiver of the back-billing and surcharges, continuation of power subsidy without interruption and immediate financial support to protect the livelihoods of thousands of families depending on the Sircilla textile industry.

In the representation, the senior BRS MLA said Sircilla was the backbone of the State’s textile sector and recalled the distress faced by workers in the past when financial difficulties led to suicides. He said the situation stabilised during the previous BRS government after the electricity subsidy limit for powerlooms was enhanced up to 25 HP. However, he said fresh back-billing by power utilities had pushed the industry into trouble again.

Rama Rao said electricity officials imposed back-billing charges for the period between 2016 and 2024 on about 127 small-scale units, resulting in dues of nearly Rs 19 crore, which rose to around Rs 38 crore with surcharges. He said several units were shut down due to inability to clear the arrears, and forced workers to commit suicides, in an indication of growing distress.