Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojana launched simultaneously all over India through Live Video feed of the launch programme: Yojana aims to open 1.5 crore bank accounts on first day
Nagpur News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan’ Yojana for the poor and needy living in rural areas and slum areas. While addressing the nation, Modi said that the scheme will help get rid of ‘financial untouchability’ in the country. This is Modi’s pet financial inclusion project aimed at ensuring that every household has a bank account.
Modi announced that bank accounts opened till January 26, 2015 will get a life cover of Rs 30,000 apart from the Rs 1 lakh accident insurance.
The ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan’ Yojana programme was relayed simultaneously through live feed and displayed to the audience in all the state capitals and cities across India. In Nagpur, a programme was organized at Sai Sabhagruha, Behind Wockhardt Hospital on August 28, 2014.
The guests included Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Mayor of Nagpur city Prof. Anil Sole, MLA Sudhakar Deshmukh, Executive Director of Bank of India Arun Shrivastava and others.
After the lighting of the traditional lamp, the Executive Director of Bank of India Arun Shrivastava spoke of how the financial aids and assistance for the poor and needy can be linked to the Bank accounts. He said that the Prime Minister had given time only till August 15, 2015. This vision was conveyed to all branches and banks throughout the country. In Nagpur too, the vision of PM was conveyed and the officials worked hard to get many poor people to open accounts in the Banks.
Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, while addressing the audience said that India has more than 60 % who are below poverty line. They are residents of villages and slums. The ambitious scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan’ Yojana will definitely benefit the poor and needy. Under this scheme, the bank staff will approach the rural populace in their villages and open Bank Accounts in their names. If the poor villager or slum dweller maintains the Bank Account with timely deposits and withdrawals, after a period of 6 months, he or she will be eligible for Rs 5000 Cash Credit (CC) limit. Apart from this the account holders will also get an Insurance Cover of Rs 1 lakh.
Past experience has shown that the money loaned to the poor under micro-finance schemes has 100 % recovery rate. However, he also added that the Banks usually give loans only to those people who have money. The Banking sector and facilities have never reached the poor and needy in the past.
However, with the advent of this scheme, the poor and needy stand a chance to stand on their own legs and be independent. They will not have to worry about the money lenders and the heavy rate of interest. Gadkari added that one can see that many poor villagers have got a lot of talents and capabilities, but they are not able to convert them to financial advantages simply because they do not have necessary capital to convert it into manufacturing. This scheme will definitely benefit the poor who have ideas and can produce and sell goods.
Gadkari also opined that while nation’s development is important, social consciousness, sensitivity is equally important.
He added that in a similar project the BJP had made 1000 houses at the rate of Rs 400/square feet for unorganized labourers or workers in Buti Bori area.
Gadkari said that if our youth put their talents to good use, nothing is impossible. He cited what he saw the other day at Delhi when some Engineering and Technology students had made water out of thin air. He went on to say how nearly 17,000 villages across Maharashtra have to drink polluted water. He said in some places the water is contaminated with poisonous chemicals like lead and arsenic. If these youth put their heads together, many villagers will get to drink clean potable water. He also lauded the efforts of the bank officials who had organized this programme and had made this programme a grand success.
After that a live telecast of the PM launching the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan’ Yojana followed by his address from New Delhi.
The opening of one bank account using e-KYC followed by distribution of account opening kit to beneficiaries was held. The vote of thanks was given by General Manager of Bank of Maharashtra N V Pujari.
