Banks opened 13.2 cr new accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana: President

Says this unprecedented target was achieved in less than six months, making it the largest such programme globally

A record 13.2 crore new bank accounts have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana in last six months with Rs 11,000 crore coming in as deposits, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of budget session, he said the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) will provide universal access to banking facilities.

"The coverage under the scheme is close to 100% with a record 13.2 crore new bank accounts being opened, 11.5 crore Rupay debit cards being issued and over Rs 11,000 crore being deposited," Mukherjee said.

"This unprecedented target was achieved in less than six months, making it the largest such programme globally," he added.

The PMJDY was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August last year. The banks were asked to open at least one account of an adult member in every household.

There are various benefits through PMJDY like RuPay Debit Cards with Rs 1 lakh accidental insurance to all account holders.

An overdraft of Rs 5,000 to one member of family, preferably a woman, will also be provided after observing satisfactory transactions in the account for six months.

Besides these, other need-based credit facilities, micro insurance and so on will also be available to customers.