Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana

The Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana was recently discussed in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister of Textiles.

About the Scheme

The Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana is an insurance scheme for all community weavers. The scheme provides insurance to the beneficiaries in cases of accidental death, natural death, partial or complete disability. The scheme is implemented by the Union Ministry of Textiles and is administered by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

Eligibility of Beneficiaries

The weavers can benefit from the scheme when they fulfil the following criteria:

• At least 50% of his/ her income should be from handloom weaving.
• All weavers in the age bracket of 18 to 59 years- including women, minors, those from the north east region, etc.
• The weavers should belong to State Handloom Development Corporations /Apex /Primary Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies.
• If not, the weavers require a certificate from State Directorate of Handlooms. The State Director in charge of Handlooms is responsible for verifying the eligibility of the applicants.

LIC

The scheme is under the administration of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). LIC is a state owned insurance and investment company established in 1956. It is a statutory corporation established under the Life Insurance of India Act (LIC Act 1956).