Bangalore: Health insurance scheme launched by the Union government for women in sericulture sector has started witnessing response in the silk producing states of the country.

The concept of gender budgeting introduced by the Union government during the Tenth Five Year Plan has been adopted by the Central Silk Board, the apex of body the Indian silk industry, to asses the adequateness of the allocation of resources for women and ensure that the gender commitments coupled with budgetary commitments are translated into achievements. The Eleventh Five Year Plan made a separate 'Women Development Component", primarily to address the social security concerns of women associated with the silk industry. As a part of this initiative, the CSB in association with state sericulture departments, launched a health insurance programme for women beneficiaries not only to address the health problems associated with the sericulture industry but also all the health related issues.

The scheme...