On August 28, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), a significant national initiative. This program was strategically designed to serve the overarching purpose of facilitating widespread access to a comprehensive range of fundamental financial services. These services encompass a spectrum of crucial facets, including remittance handling, credit availability, insurance coverage, pension benefits, and the establishment of savings and deposit accounts. The core objective of initiating this scheme was to make essential financial services accessible and economically viable for all strata of the population.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally announced the inception of this transformative scheme during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2014. The launch of PMJDY was driven by the government’s commitment to bridging the existing gap in financial inclusion and extending the opportunity for individuals across the nation to become integral parts of the formal financial system. The holistic range of services provided under the umbrella of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, not only empowers citizens by enhancing their economic security but also plays a pivotal role in nurturing the overall growth and advancement of the nation.
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According to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2023, the cumulative balance in the accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has surpassed the significant threshold of ₹2 lakh crore.
Presently, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) boasts an impressive beneficiary count of 48.70 crore, out of which 27.08 crore accounts belong to women. The accomplishment of amassing a balance of ₹1 lakh crore was realized after nearly five years, reaching this milestone in July 2019. Notably, the scheme gained paramount importance in facilitating the execution of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The financial year 2022–23 emerged as a remarkable period for the program, witnessing a noteworthy addition of ₹50,000 crore to the deposits. This notable addition constituted one-fourth of the current total balance, underscoring the scheme’s ever-increasing significance and reach.
Financial inclusion involves providing accessible and affordable financial services to marginalized and low-income segments of society. This ensures that these groups have timely and sufficient access to a range of financial products and services.
Financial inclusion involves making financial services that are available to economically low-income or disadvantaged segments of the population at an affordable cost. This initiative aims to ensure that these individuals have timely and sufficient access to a variety of financial products and services. To get a more comprehensive understanding of financial products and services.
Financial Inclusion entails the provision of affordable financial services to marginalized and low-income sectors, granting them timely and adequate access to financial products and amenities.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)serves as a pivotal financial inclusion campaign, extending comprehensive access to banking facilities. It also strives to enhance financial literacy by ensuring at least one primary banking account for every household in India.
The achievement so far
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched with the ambitious goal of establishing bank accounts for approximately 7.5 crores of previously unbanked households across India by January 26, 2015. Impressively, this initiative surpassed its target, managing to open approximately 12.54 crore accounts by January 31, 2015, with deposits amounting to more than Rs. 10,000 crores.
The exceptional success of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme earned it recognition from the Guinness World Records, certifying its achievements. Specifically, it holds the record for the highest number of bank accounts opened within a single week as part of a Financial Inclusion Campaign, an achievement attributed to the Department of Financial Services, Government of India. The remarkable feat was measured at 18,096,130 bank accounts opened within this span.
This initiative serves as a testament to the considerable impact and effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in promoting financial inclusion and extending banking services to previously underserved sections of the Indian population.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in India, Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister, announced a noteworthy measure on March 26, 2020. This initiative involved granting Rs. 500 per month to each Women Jan-Dhan Account Holder for a three-month period. This action was taken as a countermeasure against the economic repercussions of the outbreak.
To address the financial challenges stemming from the COVID-19 crisis, the government introduced a substantial relief package amounting to Rs. 1.70 lakh crore through the PM Garib Kalyan Scheme. Notably, the 21-day lockdown, instituted in response to the situation, is projected to impose a significant economic cost of approximately 9 lakh crores on the Indian economy.
As of August 3, 2020, reports indicated that the government’s flagship financial inclusion drive had established over 40 crore bank accounts.
What are the benefits of the PMJDY scheme?
Certainly, here are some of the benefits offered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme –
Enabling Universal Banking Access: A central objective of the PMJDY is to establish comprehensive access to banking services, ensuring that each individual, regardless of their economic status, can partake in opening a bank account.
Fostering Financial Literacy: The scheme actively encourages financial literacy by providing education to account holders regarding diverse financial products, and services, and the critical importance of savings.
Absence of Minimum Balance Requirement: A distinctive feature of PMJDY accounts is the lack of a mandatory minimum balance, making them accessible even to those with limited financial means.
Issuance of RuPay Debit Cards: Account holders receive RuPay debit cards, enabling them to access their accounts, withdraw cash, and conduct transactions at ATMs and POS terminals.
Emergency Overdraft Facility: PMJDY accounts encompass an emergency overdraft facility, offering account holders a predetermined credit limit, which proves invaluable during unforeseen emergencies.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Account holders are eligible for comprehensive insurance coverage, encompassing both life and accidental insurance, thereby providing a financial safety net for their families during unforeseen circumstances.
Efficient Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): PMJDY accounts facilitate the direct transfer of government subsidies and benefits to recipients, curbing inefficiencies and ensuring the streamlined and accurate disbursement of funds.
Enhanced Credit Access: These accounts significantly elevate the prospects of accessing credit facilities, thereby fostering financial growth and entrepreneurial ventures within the account holder community.
Some more are:
Advancing Pension Schemes: PMJDY actively promotes the accessibility of pension schemes, ensuring a secure and dignified retirement for individuals operating within the unorganized sector.
Encouraging Mobile Banking: The scheme also actively advocates for mobile banking and electronic fund transfers, thereby championing the adoption of digital financial transactions.
Collectively, these advantages contribute synergistically to the overarching objective of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: to amplify financial inclusivity and uplift marginalized and low-income segments of society through empowerment.
The scheme offers a prominent attribute – an overdraft facility of Rs. 5,000 for Aadhar-linked accounts, coupled with a RuPay debit card entailing a built-in accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh.
Furthermore, for beneficiaries who opened accounts between August 15, 2014, and January 26, 2015, an added incentive includes a Rupees 30,000 Life Insurance cover. After maintaining an active account status for six months, beneficiaries become eligible for an overdraft of up to Rs. 5,000.
In summary, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) exemplifies an inclusive and empowering initiative. It not only bridges financial gaps but also secures the future and financial well-being of countless individuals across the nation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) stands as an exceptional testament to the transformative potential of inclusive financial initiatives. Moreover, this visionary program has dismantled barriers and paved the way for millions of individuals, irrespective of their economic status, to become integral participants in the formal financial system. Through its provision of universal access to banking services, promotion of financial literacy, removal of minimum balance requirements, and issuance of RuPay debit cards, PMJDY has laid the cornerstone for a more financially empowered and secure populace.
The incorporation of an overdraft facility, insurance coverage, and direct benefit transfers has not only bolstered economic resilience but has also established a safety net against unforeseen adversities. The scheme’s endorsement of pension programs and advocacy for mobile banking and digital transactions represent significant strides toward the modernization of financial practices.
PMJDY’s accomplishments have garnered international acclaim, as evidenced by its recognition in the Guinness World Records. Furthermore, its impact transcends mere numerical figures, profoundly touching the lives of millions by nurturing financial independence, fostering entrepreneurship, and forging a path toward a more assured future.
As the initiative continues to evolve, its role in shaping a more inclusive and empowered society remains unequivocally profound. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)has not only redefined financial inclusion but has also underscored its indispensable role in sculpting a more resilient and economically robust India.