Has Gujarat Surpassed 1.94 Crore Jan Dhan Accounts in Financial Inclusion Initiative?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gujarat has opened over 1.94 crore Jan Dhan accounts.
- Zero-balance accounts promote financial accessibility.
- Insurance and pension benefits are linked to these accounts.
- 'Jan Suraksha Santushti Abhiyan' enhances outreach efforts.
- Doorstep banking services are provided to underserved areas.
Ahmedabad, Aug 4 (NationPress) Gujarat has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 1.94 crore bank accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), facilitating access to vital banking services for millions of individuals in both rural and urban settings.
The state has made considerable progress in integrating citizens into the banking system through zero-balance accounts, according to official data released on Monday.
These accounts not only provide essential savings and financial transaction capabilities but also link account holders to crucial social security benefits such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (life insurance), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (accident insurance), and the Atal Pension Yojana.
To further enhance this outreach effort, the Central government has initiated a special three-month campaign -- ‘Jan Suraksha Santushti Abhiyan’ -- running from July 1 to September 30, aimed at promoting financial inclusion and social protection.
This initiative is being implemented across all 14,610 gram panchayats and urban local bodies in Gujarat, with Village Computer Entrepreneurs (VCEs) assisting citizens in opening accounts, completing KYC formalities, registering nominees, and raising awareness about digital fraud prevention and dormant deposit claims.
The campaign also aims to provide doorstep delivery of essential banking and pension services at little or no cost, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
Individuals without current bank accounts are encouraged to establish basic savings deposits or small accounts with zero balance, requiring no minimum deposit.
Account holders are provided with RuPay debit cards, and those who use their cards at least once every 90 days qualify for accident insurance coverage of up to Rs 2 lakh. Moreover, after six months of satisfactory account operation, beneficiaries are eligible for an overdraft facility of up to Rs 10,000.
The campaign was officially launched at the state level from Pundhara village in Gandhinagar district on July 1, with a virtual inauguration conducted by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel alongside Finance Minister Kanu Desai.
This scheme also ensures seamless delivery of subsidies and benefits under various programs such as LPG (DBT), MNREGA wages, pensions, and scholarships directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Additional digital services like mobile banking and UPI support are also being made available, enhancing the accessibility of financial transactions to the last mile.