HYDERABAD: Industries minister KT Rama Rao has shot off a letter to Union commerce and industries minister Piyush Goel pointing out the Centre’s indifference to repeated representations from Telangana government to sanction a mega powerloom cluster.
This letter to Goel on Sunday is preceded by the ruling TRS’ state-wide protest against the Centre over paddy procurement issue on Friday.
In the letter, KTR said the youth of Telangana are eagerly waiting for employment opportunities that will be created by projects like the mega powerloom cluster at Sircilla under the comprehensive powerloom cluster development scheme.
KTR, who also represents Sircilla assembly constituency, had earlier written seven letters on different dates to the Union government for a mega powerloom cluster, but no action was taken, he said.
Sircilla has been a major hub of handloom and textiles activity for several decades. The state government initiated several measures for gainful employment to the weaver community, he said. This town has the necessary ecosystem and trained manpower required to set up a mega powerloom cluster, KTR said.
The minister sought to bring to the notice of the Union minister that the flagship initiatives, including 40% input subsidy linked wage compensation scheme, thrift fund to handloom and powerloom weavers, providing continuous work to powerloom workers, have resulted in revival of this industry with major increase in earnings and wages. Even the Union government had appreciated these initiatives on various occasions, he said.
KTR highlighted that Telangana has been able to attract some marquee investments into the textiles sector. Also, the state government has earmarked additional budget for the handloom and textiles sector and has taken up world class projects like Kakatiya Mega Textile Park.
“Over the past few years, we have been observing that the Union government is announcing schemes and assistance to states, which lack the necessary ecosystem or resources. All this at the expense of fast developing states like Telangana,” he said.
