The Prime Minister’s scheme to maximise financial inclusion across the country — ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) — had a soft launch in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with Union Law and Justice, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad complimenting the State government on the level of financial inclusion it had already achieved.
The Prime Minister’s efforts offered a platform to extend broadband connectivity to all villages and take banking to every home, Mr. Prasad said at the inaugural function here. He lauded Tamil Nadu’s lead in ensuring that welfare assistance reached most of the beneficiaries through banks.
“Today, we have 90 crore people with mobile connectivity. In rural areas, we still miss out on 44 per cent mobile-phone users. The aim is digital empowerment of India,” Mr. Prasad said. The government wanted to bridge this digital divide.
Total digital connectivity Mr. Prasad also urged employees of the Postal and IT Departments and BSNL to promote this programme. Total digital connectivity, he said, would help to create more programmes for the poor, like the kisan credit card.
Governor K. Rosaiah said banks should serve as an instrument of economic change to maximise social good and raise the level of economic activity. The State government disbursed maternal assistance, student scholarships, old age pensions and assistance to farmers only through banks.
He formally launched the distribution of bank kits.
Provisionally, 11 lakh bank accounts were opened in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam said nine lakh bank accounts had been opened by senior citizens to claim welfare assistance. Assistance to farmers for crop damage during 2013-14 was disbursed through banks.
Simultaneous launch “It is a pleasant surprise for me. Hereafter, I don’t have to seek the help of neighbours or take a loan from moneylenders to meet month-end exigencies,” said Zeenath at Kancheepuram.
She opened a savings bank account in Indian Bank under the scheme.
Ms. Zeenath, who came to the special enrolment drive held at Arignar Anna Arangam on Thursday, was surprised when officials informed her that her account had an inbuilt over-draft facility, hitherto extended only to businessmen or traders.
The PMJDY accountholders are eligible for an overdraft of Rs.2,000 six months after the account was opened, besides an insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh for their families.
39,000 accounts in Madurai In Madurai, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Pon. Radhakrishnan launched the scheme and said 39,000 accounts had already been opened in the district.
In Coimbatore, a special camp was held.
