The Congress, ruling in Karnataka, attempted to share credit for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), when Karnataka Minister for Forests B. Ramanath Rai said, “Had banks not been nationalised by late Indira Gandhi, the ambitious scheme would not have been launched nation-wide on Thursday.”
Presiding over the launch of PMJDY here, Mr. Rai said bank nationalisation had been the first step towards financial inclusion taken by the Congress followed by various schemes of UPA I and II, including Aadhaar and direct benefit transfer (DBT). At the same time, he said, “We all together have to take banking services to the common man,” and declared, “the Karnataka government would extend all support to the scheme.”
Before Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot could reply, the live telecast of PMJDY launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from New Delhi had the reply for the Congress’ claim. Mr. Modi said nationalisation of banks, though was ambitious, did not serve the purpose. It is an irony that more than 40 per cent of the population remained out of the financial services even after 68 years of independence, he said.
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In his introductory address, Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha Member Nalin Kumar Kateel said the coastal region deserved to be part of the nation-wide launch of the scheme as it was home to the banking industry. Though it is the Kashi (holy place) for the industry, many households did not have bank accounts in the region and money-lending still existed. He said that more than 50,000 new accounts had been opened in the district on Thursday alone and people had time till August 15 next year to open accounts.
Though successive governments made several attempts to achieve overall development of the country, the development was not at the desired levels, particularly when compared to Japan and China. PMJDY is a step towards economic empowerment of the poor, Mr. Gehlot said.
Minister K. Abhayachandra Jain, legislators from the district, officials of various banks, including those from Corporation Bank which had organised the event, were present. While 10 people who opened new accounts were given passbook and Rupay debit card, stalls opened by various banks to facilitate the opening of accounts at Town Hall witnessed heavy flow of curious people.
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Udupi
Savitha S. Kotian, president of Udupi Zilla Panchayat, said on Thursday that the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana would help the poor people get access to bank credit. She was speaking after launching the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana at the Syndicate Bank Golden Jubilee Hall, here. Ms. Kotian said the scheme would also increase financial inclusion in the district. Having access to banking facilities would help the people to progress economically. The scheme was Mr. Modi’s dream, she said.