The Textiles Ministry is looking at increasing the level of insurance cover for handloom weavers, a sector that’s on the government radar for job creation. 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 an increase in cover for accidental death to Rs 4 lakh from Rs 1.5 lakh. In case of natural death, benefit may be raised to Rs 2 lakh from the Rs 60,000 now. The textile sector is the country’s second-largest employer.

The government released Rs 16.67 crores under the scheme in 2015-16 compared to Rs 16.39 crore in 2014-15 when as many as 5.74 lakh weavers were enrolled. The benefit is restricted to two children of the member. The government’s effort to enhance insurance for handloom weavers is a good plan. For the betterment of the class, the reform measures should include assistance for improved products, quality control, better marketing and access to markets to enable the weavers maximise the gain from the renewed interest leading to a growing market for handloom. It will improve weavers’ incomes and quality of life.