CM launches ‘Jan Dhan’ in Odisha

Reported by Santosh Jagdev
Bhubaneswar, Aug 28:

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in Odisha in the company of Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram at Hotel Mayfair here this evening.

The scheme that seeks to ensure that every Indian household has a bank account was simultaneously launched at 60 strategic locations in the Country, including Odisha, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching it in New Delhi.On the very first day of its launch, over 1.5 crore people opened bank accounts across the country today.

The event was organised by all banks operating in the state and coordinated by the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC).

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said he was glad to launch the financial inclusion scheme based on the twon principles of equity and inclusive growth with the object of providing mainstream financial services like access to banking facilities, credit and insurance cover to the poor and disadvantaged.

“We have also taken a significant step towards financial inclusion through expansion of banking facility in the state. We have planned for opening brick and mortar branches in all unbanked gram panchayats of the state by different public and private sector banks as well as Regional Rural Banks by March 31, 2019. With the cooperation of all commercial banks operating in the state, the SLBC has been assigned for this project,” Patnaik said.

Accommodation for these branches will be provided at the Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras free of rent for 5 years, the Chief Minister said assuring all help and support from his government in achieving the goal of universal financial inclusion in the state.

Union Minister Oram said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream to digitise the whole nation had come true with the launch of this Yojana which he had unveiled in his speech on India’s 68th Independence Day (August 15).

With the slogan ‘Mera Khata – Bhagya Vidhaata’, the scheme is a financial inclusion scheme covering all households in the country with direct transfer of government benefits like pension, scholarships and other incentives through banking facilities, ensuring a bank account for each household, Rs 1 lakh accident benefit and Rs 20,000 life insurance, the Minister said.

In Odisha, 62,000 bank accounts were opened on the first day, he said adding the Central Government had targeted to cover 7.5 crore beneficiaries under this Yojana till January 26, 2015.

Among others, Pradip Amat, Odisha’s Finance Minister, Gokul Chandra Pati, State’s chief secretary and other dignitaries also spoke on the occasion.

Twenty chief ministers, 42 ministers, MLAs and MPs and other state officials were present at the launch the Yojana in around 60 strategic places across the country.