KTR Accuses Central Govt. of Delaying Textile Cluster
Locales: Telangana, INDIA

Karimnagar, Telangana - January 19th, 2026 - Telangana Minister for Industries and Commerce, K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), has publicly accused the central government of deliberately delaying the establishment of a highly anticipated textile mega cluster in Sircilla, alleging a politically motivated obstruction of the state's development efforts. The accusation, delivered at a public meeting in Sircilla on Sunday, further escalates tensions between the Telangana state government and the BJP-led central government.
The proposed textile mega cluster, conceived under the central government's PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM Mitra) scheme, represents a significant potential economic boon for the Sircilla region and the state as a whole. The project promises to generate thousands of jobs and stimulate substantial economic growth in a region heavily reliant on the textile industry. However, its progress has been consistently hampered by delays attributed to the central government's perceived inaction.
KTR's accusations are sharp and direct. He alleges that the central government's inaction isn't due to logistical or bureaucratic hurdles, but a deliberate political vendetta against the Telangana government. He highlighted a perceived double standard, claiming that similar projects in other states are approved with ease while Telangana's project is subjected to unnecessary delays and scrutiny. "They are approving projects in other states with a wave of their hand, but they are dragging their feet on projects that benefit Telangana," KTR stated, underscoring his frustration with the situation.
The state government, according to KTR, has diligently fulfilled its obligations. All preliminary groundwork - including land identification, detailed project report preparation, and securing necessary clearances - has been completed. The minister emphasized that the state is prepared to move forward but remains stymied by the lack of cooperation from the central government. This position paints a picture of a proactive state government facing an uncooperative federal entity.
The implications of this delay extend beyond the immediate economic benefits the cluster would provide. KTR framed the situation as a deliberate disregard for the livelihoods of Sircilla residents and a broader neglect of Telangana's developmental needs. He argued that the delay demonstrates a lack of political will to support the state's progress and accused the central government of "playing with the livelihoods of the people of Sircilla."
The PM Mitra scheme itself aims to establish textile mega clusters across India, focusing on infrastructure development, skill development, and technology upgrades to enhance the competitiveness of the Indian textile industry. The Sircilla cluster was intended to be a flagship project, leveraging the region's existing textile base and creating a hub for innovation and employment. The delay casts a shadow over the scheme's overall success and effectiveness, raising questions about its equitable distribution of benefits across different states.
KTR's public address served as a call to action, urging the citizens of Sircilla to take notice of the central government's perceived bias and to express their dissatisfaction through their votes in the upcoming elections. This is a clear strategy to galvanize support for the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and potentially influence public opinion against the BJP at the national level. The situation highlights the ongoing power dynamics between state and central governments in India, and the potential for political motivations to impact economic development initiatives. Local analysts suggest this could become a key talking point in the lead-up to the next election, further fueling the debate about regional autonomy and equitable resource allocation within India.
While the central government has not issued a direct response to KTR's specific accusations, officials have previously stated that project approvals are subject to rigorous assessment and adherence to established guidelines, implying that the delays are procedural rather than politically motivated. However, KTR's accusations are likely to resonate with the local population and could significantly impact the political landscape in Telangana.
Read the Full Telangana Today Article at:
[ https://telanganatoday.com/centres-delay-on-sircilla-textile-mega-cluster-a-political-vendetta-ktr ]