The Government of India had launched the Bunkar Bima Yojana for Handloom Weavers to provide insurance cover by associating with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Under this scheme, the government provides insurances that apply to all community weavers in the case of natural death, accidental death as well as partial and permanent disability due to an accident. The concerned handloom authority in the state will finalise the insurance coverage, as the Life Insurance Corporation of India administers the scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

• For those who need to be insured under this scheme, has to satisfy the below-following conditions to avail the benefits of the Scheme.
• The weaver’s income must earn at least 50% of his income from handloom weaving.
• All weavers must be between 18 to 59 years of age which includes minorities, women weavers and weavers belonging to North East Region are eligible to apply for this insurance scheme.
• The scheme is applicable to the weavers those who are belonging to the State Handloom Development Corporations/Apex/Primary Handloom Weavers and Cooperative Societies will be covered under the Scheme. Outside co-operative weavers are also covered under the scheme when they provide an eligibility certificate from the State Directorate of Handlooms.
• The State Director in charge of Handlooms is responsible for checking the eligibility of the weavers who are intended to be covered under this scheme.
• The concerned State Director and LIC are responsible to ensure that the women weavers belonging to minorities and weavers of the NER States that includes the states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim are given adequate representation while implementing the scheme.

Features of the Insurance Coverage

Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana is to provide insurance coverage to handloom weavers as follows.

• In the event of natural death of the member, a Sum Assured of INR 60,000 will become payable to the nominee.
• In the cause of Accidental Death or Total Permanent Disability, a Sum Assured of INR 1,50,000 will become payable to the nominee. In case of Partial Disability, a Sum Assured of INR 75,000

Premium Insurance Coverage

The annual premium of INR 470 per applicant will be shared as follows: