66.3 pc women in AP hold bank accounts: NFHS Survey

An impressive of 66 per cent women in Andhra Pradesh hold bank accounts, the latest National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS) 2014-15 report indicated.
The NFHS data released recently by International Institute of Population Sciences revealed interesting socio-economic parameters pertaining to the state.
According to data on NFHS website, among 66.3 per cent of women bank account holders, 58.9 per cent belonged to urban AP while a lion's share of 69.9 per cent were from rural areas.
According to a senior bank official, the rising figures in rural area can be attributed to the active role played by DWACRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) in encouraging rural women to link with financial institutions.

The officer cited that financial inclusion plan Jan Dhan Yojana was also one of the major factors for the encouraging trend.
NFHS data showed that 36.2 per cent of women in AP now use cell phones.

On the other key indicators, a total of 98.8 per cent of houses in the state have access to electricity supply, while 72 per cent get protected drinking water facility.
A total of 53.6 per cent have best sanitation system and 62 per cent are using clean energy in their homes.
Institutional delivery in the state was recorded to 91.6 per cent, of which among 38.3 per cent were done in public hospitals.

The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) stood in at 35 per 1,000 live births. In urban areas it was 20 per 1,000 live births and 40 per 1,000 live births in rural AP. Only 17.4 per cent of those who had institutional deliveries received benefits under Centre's Janani Suraksha Yojana.
Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the state was recorded at 41 per 1,000 live births, while in urban and rural areas it stood at 29 and 45 (per 1,000 live births), respectively.