Bhubaneswar, Aug 8: More than 10,600 handloom weavers and workers in Odisha have been brought under key social security schemes, providing a wider safety net to families dependent on the state’s traditional weaving sector.
Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita informed the Rajya Sabha that 10,601 handloom weavers and workers from Odisha have been covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) since the schemes were introduced.
The coverage is significant for Odisha’s handloom communities, where weaving remains closely connected with household livelihoods and the state’s cultural identity.
Support beyond insurance
The Centre has also extended financial assistance to 72 award-winning weavers in Odisha under the National Handloom Development Programme to support those facing financial hardship.
The assistance is intended to provide support to experienced artisans while helping sustain skills that have been passed down through generations.
The Ministry of Textiles is working with state authorities through Weavers Service Centres (WSCs) to improve awareness about government welfare and development programmes.
Awareness camps and local outreach programmes are being conducted to help weavers understand the benefits available to them. The Handloom Helpline Centre is also being used to provide information and guide workers towards relevant schemes.
A social safety net for a traditional sector
For many weaving families, income can fluctuate depending on orders, seasonal demand and access to markets. Social-security coverage can therefore provide an important layer of financial protection when families face unexpected difficulties.
The broader challenge for Odisha, however, is to ensure that welfare support is accompanied by opportunities for the sector to grow.
Better market access, modern design, digital sales, improved production facilities and stronger branding can help Odisha’s handloom products reach customers beyond traditional markets.
Linking artisans with new markets
The state’s handloom sector has considerable potential to benefit from the growing interest in handmade and regionally distinctive products.
Digital marketplaces and direct-to-consumer brands can give weavers opportunities to reach customers across India and international markets without relying entirely on traditional intermediaries.
For younger generations, such opportunities could also make weaving a more viable livelihood by connecting traditional skills with contemporary consumer demand.
The combination of social security, skill development, market access and technology could therefore play an important role in strengthening Odisha’s handloom economy.
For the thousands of families whose livelihoods are connected to the loom, the larger goal is not only protection during difficult times but creating an environment in which traditional craftsmanship can remain economically sustainable for the next generation.