Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader and Sircilla MLA KT Rama Rao on Wednesday urged deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka and agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao to save Sircilla weavers from the electricity crisis. He called for the waiver of back billing and surcharge amounts on the Sircilla textile industry, the continuation of uninterrupted electricity subsidy benefits, and immediate financial relief to prevent workers from resorting to suicides again.He submitted a memorandum to the deputy CM and the agriculture minister regarding the burden of electricity dues and surcharges on Sircilla power loom units, requesting their waiver. KTR brought to Bhatti’s attention that Sircilla textile workers had previously resorted to suicides. He explained that the industry had stabilised due to increased electricity subsidies of up to 25 HP during the previous govt. However, he said the burden of ‘back billing’ imposed by electricity officials is now endangering the livelihoods of thousands of families.KTR stated that officials have imposed a back billing burden of approximately Rs 19 crore on about 127 SSI units for the period from 2016 to 2024, which, along with surcharges, has now increased to Rs 38 crore. He expressed concern over the closure of several units unable to pay these dues and cited the recent suicides of 13 workers due to financial distress. He urged the govt to cancel these bills on humanitarian grounds to support the weavers. KTR also called for immediate intervention to protect the Sircilla textile industry and the livelihoods of ots workers. KTR reminded that the issue of Sircilla weavers is not merely regional but concerns the survival of thousands of families.MSID:: 129803636 413 |
