Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Textiles Ministry to Revamp Handloom Weavers' Insurance Scheme
The textiles ministry in India is planning to revamp the insurance part of a program that helps handloom weavers.
This program, called the Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, has two insurance schemes: one for life insurance and another for accident insurance.
The ministry wanted 4.69 lakh weavers to join, but only 2.02 lakh did.
This is because many weavers don't know about the schemes, and it's hard to find and enroll all the weavers.
The ministry is now looking at ways to increase enrolment and make sure more weavers get the benefits.
They will work with state governments to spread awareness and enroll more weavers.
The textiles ministry plans to overhaul the insurance component of the Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme due to low enrolment.
Only 2.02 lakh handloom weavers enrolled in the insurance schemes, far below the target of 4.69 lakh.
The ministry will focus on increasing enrolment, expanding coverage, and improving implementation through state governments.
Low enrolment is attributed to the fragmented nature of the handloom sector and limited awareness among weavers.
Assam has the largest handloom workforce and the highest enrolment and fund allocation under the scheme.
- Who
- The textiles ministry and handloom weavers
- What
- Revamp of the Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme
- When
- 2025-26 policy year
- Where
- India
- Why
- To increase enrolment and expand coverage of insurance schemes for handloom weavers
Government Perspective
Industry Experts Perspective
Reasons for Low Enrolment
Government Perspective
The government attributes low enrolment to the fragmented and unorganised nature of the handloom sector and dependence on states for beneficiary identification.
Industry Experts Perspective
Industry experts believe the primary reason is limited awareness among handloom weavers about the insurance schemes and their benefits.
- Total Handloom Weavers in India
- 26.74 lakh
- Target Enrolment for 2025-26
- 4.69 lakh
- Actual Enrolment for 2025-26
- 2.02 lakh
- Insurance Funding Boost
- ₹335 lakh
- Previous Year's Insurance Funding
- ₹60.01 lakh
- Largest Handloom Workforce
- Assam (11.07 lakh weavers)
- Highest Enrolment State
- Assam (97,451 weavers)
- Highest Fund Allocation
- Assam (₹133.69 lakh)