Synopsis
As of January 15, a total of 54.58 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been established, with women representing 55.7% of them. The government continues to enhance financial inclusion through various initiatives, focusing particularly on women and marginalized communities.Key Takeaways
- 54.58 crore Jan Dhan accounts created.
- 55.7% of accounts belong to women.
- Launched in August 2014.
- 107 digital banking units established.
- Efforts to include marginalized communities.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) A remarkable total of 54.58 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been established as of January 15, with 30.37 crore (which accounts for 55.7 percent) being attributed to women, as reported by the government on Monday.
The government launched the National Mission for Financial Inclusion (NMFI), specifically the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), in August 2014. This initiative aims to deliver universal banking services to every unbanked household, adhering to the principles of banking the unbanked, securing the unsecured, funding the unfunded, and serving unserved and underserved regions, with a particular emphasis on women.
To enhance the government's financial inclusion efforts, the PMJDY scheme was expanded beyond August 14, 2018, shifting the focus to “every unbanked adult” rather than just “every household”.
The NMFI has also played a pivotal role in ensuring that women benefit from various social security and credit-linked programs, as per the Ministry of Finance.
A robust network of approximately 13 lakh banking correspondents (BCs), acting as the final link in the delivery system of banking services, is actively enrolling eligible individuals under financial inclusion programs.
To further enhance the accessibility and usability of digital financial services, 107 digital banking units (DBUs) were established by banks (as of December 2024) to guarantee that the advantages of digital banking reach every corner of the nation.
These units provide services such as opening savings accounts, printing passbooks, transferring funds, and applying for loans, among others.
In order to ensure that these schemes are accessible to women, rural communities, marginalized groups, and underprivileged populations, numerous measures are being implemented. These include setting targets for all banks under each scheme, organizing various camps and specialized campaigns to raise awareness, and conducting periodic performance reviews of banks. All financial institutions, including private banks, are participating in these initiatives to ensure the efficacy of these programs and their accessibility to all stakeholders.
The government, in collaboration with state authorities, is continuously undertaking various initiatives to tackle challenges such as low enrollment and lack of awareness that hinder financial inclusion efforts across the country.
