Hyderabad: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao urged the Telangana government to immediately intervene and resolve the financial crisis faced by power loom workers in Sircilla. He demanded waiver of ₹35.48 crore back billing dues and release of pending ₹101.77 crore electricity subsidy. In a detailed letter on Saturday, he appealed to Deputy Chief Minister and Finance and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to act without delay.
KTR said Sircilla was home to nearly 25,000 power looms and had long been a hub of weaving activity. He recalled that during the BRS government, the Bathukamma saree scheme was introduced to provide steady work and income to weavers who had previously been driven to suicides. However, he warned that present hardships were once again pushing workers towards distress.
High Court orders led to back billing burden
KTR explained that units earlier classified under cottage industries and receiving a 50% power tariff subsidy had later been moved under Industry-3 category as Small Scale Industries (SSI). Following High Court orders, 127 SSI units and 191 other units were charged a combined ₹35.48 crore in back billing arrears. He said workers could not afford such huge payments, making it difficult to keep power looms operational.
He further pointed out that the Sircilla Cooperative Electric Supply Society (CESS) was in deep financial strain due to non-release of ₹101.77 crore subsidy. As a result, CESS was unable to pay Telangana Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGNPDCL) for power purchases. KTR appealed to the government to waive the arrears, release subsidies, and protect the livelihood of thousands of weaving families.
