What happened
The Ministry of Textiles has said that Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) are being implemented for eligible handloom weavers and workers under the Handloom Weavers’ Welfare component of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP). The stated purpose is insurance coverage for handloom workers across the country, including Andhra Pradesh.
The ministry has also said that the insurance cover runs on an annual policy basis from 1 June to 31 May and that implementation has been routed through States and Union Territories since 2021-22.
Background and earlier position
The handloom insurance components are part of a broader welfare structure for a traditional livelihood sector. The ministry says States and Union Territories provide the indicative number of eligible handloom weavers and workers, targets are fixed on that basis, and funds are released accordingly.
The ministry also says it coordinates with States, Union Territories, and Weavers Service Centres (WSCs) to hold awareness camps and chaupals, and that the Handloom Helpline Centre is used to share information on handloom schemes, including insurance schemes.
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