Ahmedabad, Dec 2 (NationPress) Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi emphasized on Tuesday that the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has instigated a remarkable transformation in the nation’s banking landscape.

During the 187th meeting of the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) held in Gandhinagar, Sanghavi highlighted that the visionary approach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led to an "unprecedented revolution" in India's banking domain, turning it from a privilege of the wealthy into a service that is available to all citizens.

He remarked that Gujarat has positioned itself as a frontrunner in enhancing banking infrastructure, boasting over 11,000 bank branches, with more than 56 percent functioning in rural regions.

Through this extensive network, Gujarat has successfully established more than 1.75 crore Jan Dhan accounts, ensuring that even the most economically disadvantaged households are linked to formal banking services.

Sanghavi described cybercrime as one of the most significant challenges of the digital era, outlining the proactive measures the state is taking to combat online fraud.

He disclosed that every case of cybercrime reported to Gujarat's 1930 helpline resulted in 100 percent of the funds being frozen, due to efficient collaboration between law enforcement and banking partners.

The Deputy CM urged financial institutions to bolster their partnership with law enforcement and announced the formation of a joint committee involving the Home Department, Gujarat Police, and nodal officers from various banks to facilitate quicker responses to cyber fraud.

He also shared a commendable instance involving Jayesh Gandhi, an Ahmedabad bank manager, who recently thwarted an attempt by a senior citizen caught in a "digital arrest" scam from transferring Rs 45 lakh of life savings.

Sanghavi noted that fostering awareness and empathy among bank employees can greatly diminish the incidence of cybercrime within the state.

Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Das commended banks for their support during the economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and encouraged them to provide similar leadership for significant initiatives like the SVAMITVA scheme.

During the event, the Deputy CM recognized three outstanding Lead District Managers for their accomplishments in the second quarter of FY 2025.

Earlier in the meeting, SLBC Gujarat Chairman Debadatta Chand, RBI Executive Director Sonali Sen Gupta, and Union Finance Ministry Joint Secretary Manoj Ayyappan addressed the attendees.

The session included participation from senior officials of the state's Finance Department, top executives from nationalized banks, and officers from various government departments, reinforcing Gujarat’s commitment to building a robust, secure, and inclusive financial ecosystem.