KTR writes to Bhatti, asks State government to support Sircilla weavers

BRS working president KT Rama Rao urged the State government to waive Rs 35.48 crore in back billing dues and release Rs 101.77 crore in pending subsidies to rescue Sircilla’s weaving industry, warning that weavers face severe financial distress

Hyderabad: Voicing concern over the financial crisis faced by weavers in Sircilla, BRS working president and Sircilla MLA KT Rama Rao on Saturday appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to address the issue on priority.

In a detailed letter, he sought the immediate waiver of Rs 35.48 crore in back billing dues and the release of Rs 101.77 crore in pending electricity subsidies to ease the distress of the weaving community.

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Rama Rao pointed out that Sircilla was renowned for its power loom industry, with around 25,000 units operating. The sector has been in dire straits for some time due to adverse market conditions. He noted that during the BRS regime, the Bathukamma saree scheme provided weavers with steady work and income. However, the current financial burden, including unpaid subsidies and back billing dues, is pushing weavers into despair. He expressed concern that “suicide may become their only recourse” if the government fails to act.

He explained that power loom units, which earlier availed a 50 per cent electricity tariff subsidy under the cottage industry category, were later reclassified as SSI units under the Industry-3 category due to lack of awareness. Following High Court directives, 127 SSI units and 191 other units have been served with Rs 35.48 crore in back billing dues. Already struggling financially, the weavers are unable to bear this burden, making it difficult to keep their looms running.

The Sircilla Cooperative Electric Supply Society (CESS) is also facing severe financial strain due to the non-release of Rs 101.77 crore in electricity subsidies owed by the State government. This has left CESS unable to clear dues for power purchases from TGNPDCL, further aggravating the crisis.

He urged the State government to intervene immediately to protect the livelihoods of Sircilla’s weavers, calling for waiver of the Rs 35.48 crore back billing dues and prompt release of the Rs 101.77 crore subsidy.

“The government must act swiftly to save the weavers and restore hope in their lives,” he stressed.