KTR urges Centre to sanction Mega Powerloom Cluster for Sircilla

Hyderabad: Telangana government on Sunday urged Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to sanction Mega Powerloom Cluster for Sircilla in the state.

In a letter addressed to Piyush Goel, Telangana Industries Minister and Sircilla MLA K.T. Rama Rao requested him to sanction Mega Powerloom Cluster at Sircilla under the Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (CPCDS).

The Minister had earlier written seven letters (on different occasions) to the Union Government requesting for a Mega Powerloom Cluster at Sircilla but unfortunately, no action was taken by the Union Government.

"Sircilla has been a major hub of Handloom and Textiles activity for several decades now. The state government had initiated several measures to ensure the weaver community of this town finds gainful employment. The town has the necessary ecosystem and trained manpower required to set up a Mega Powerloom cluster," KTR said in the letter.

He said that his government has initiated several measures to ensure all-around development of the Handloom and Textiles sector and also the well-being of the weaver community. "These flagship initiatives including 40 percent Input Subsidy Linked Wage Compensation Scheme, Thrift Fund to Handloom / Powerloom Weavers, providing continuous work to Powerloom workers, have resulted in revival of this industry with a major increase in earnings/wages," he added.

The Minister also stated that the Union Government had also appreciated these measures and initiatives on various occasions. Expressing disappointment over Telangana not receiving any significant support related to the Handloom and Textiles sector from the Union Government, he said he would like to reiterate that the development of Telangana translates to the development of our country.

Expressing his anguish over not receiving any support from the Centre, KTR said, "Due to the lack of support to progressive states such as Telangana, today our country is unable to compete even with smaller countries. "

KTR also highlighted that Telangana has been able to attract some marquee investments into the textiles sector and said that the track record proves that Telangana could achieve these investments by competing not only with Indian states but also with other nations too.

He mentioned that Telangana has earmarked extra budgets for the Handloom and Textiles sector and has taken up world-class projects like Kakatiya Mega Textile Park.

The youth of Telangana are eagerly waiting for employment opportunities that will be created by projects like the Mega Powerloom cluster. "I make an earnest appeal on behalf of people of Telangana to sanction the Mega Powerloom Cluster at Sircilla without further delay," the Minister added.