Higher insurance cover for handloom weavers in the works

The ministry of textiles plans to increase the insurance cover for handloom weavers, a sector that is on the government radar for occupation creation, more than three-fold in some cases. The Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana provides insurance to handloom weavers in the case of natural and accidental death and total and partial disability.

The ministry has proposed increasing the cover for accidental death from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. In case of natural death, benefit may be raised to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 60,000 now.

“The ministry is working to increase the insurance cover for weavers in the handloom sector…it will encourage more weavers to get covered in the insurance net,” said an official from the textile ministry.

The government released Rs 16.67 crore under the scheme in 2015-16 compared with Rs 16.39 crore in 2014-15, when 5.74 lakh weavers were enrolled. The benefit is restricted to two children of the member.

The textile sector is the country’s second-largest employer.

“It is a good move to increase protection for weavers as this is the only scheme in which the benefits directly get accrued to them,” said textile expert DK Nair

Recent Posts

VIP Clothing expands portfolio with premium products

VIP Clothing has entered a new market segment with the launch of branded handkerchiefs while also expanding its presence within…

1 day ago

Cotecna launches advanced testing laboratory in Tirupur

Cotecna has officially opened its new Softlines Testing Laboratory in Tirupur. The inauguration was led by Amit Chopra, along with…

1 day ago

Loop Industries expands recycling technology to Europe and India

Loop Industries has raised €10 mn through a convertible preferred security agreement with Reed Societe Generale Group, an entity under…

2 days ago

OJAS and Maharishi collaborate on capsule collection

OJAS has partnered with Maharishi for a capsule collection in military-inspired aesthetics featuring Maharishi’s Original Snopants, sweatshirt, and a tote…

2 days ago

Red Run expands into menswear with Drop 1 collection

Red Run has announced its foray into menswear with menswear collection, titled ‘Drop 1,’ featuring 10 essential pieces designed for…

3 days ago

INEOS Styrolution launches recycled polystyrene yoghurt cups

INEOS Styrolution, a global leader in styrenics, has successfully completed its first project involving mechanically recycled polystyrene in yoghurt cups.

3 days ago