40k open bank accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana - Times of India

KOLHAPUR: As many as 40,000 people in Kolhapur district, who did not an account in a public sector bank, now have one as a part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about the scheme that was launched on Thursday across the country. All the district collectors were asked to conduct an official programme, wherein passbooks and ATM cards were distributed to the account holders.

District collector Rajaram Mane launched the scheme. The programme was held at Bank of India's Shiroli branch. MLA Sujit Minchekar and M G Kulkarni, general manager of lead district branch of the bank, were present on the occasion.

The scheme is meant for people from economically weaker section, who have no access to banking and do not have insurance cover. Such people were identified and asked to be connected with any public sector bank. As per the scheme, the account holder's family members will get an accidental insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh. Aadhar card was the only document needed for opening an account. It will be a zero balance account, but if the account holder utilizes it regularly and properly, he/she can avail an overdraft of Rs 5,000 after six months.

Kulkarni said, "There are 1.57 lakh families in the district, of which 1.05 lakh have been covered so far. We will cover the remaining families before January 26. These account holders have ATM cards that they can use to withdraw money, whenever they receive it in the form of some subsidy. The accounts will be useful for these people even in case of depositing some relief amount or compensation money. Most of the banking transactions such as such as salaries, bill payment and transfer of funds are steadily shifting to online mode. In future, more government schemes will switch to electronic transfer mode as it is secure, impartial and efficient."

Meanwhile, 47,536 new accounts were opened in Solapur district as against the target of 63,400. The district will achieve its target by the end of this year, said Shriniwas Patki, general manager of lead district branch, Bank of India, in Solapur.

In Sangli district, 15,000 new accounts were opened between August 16 and 27, taking the total number of account holders to 80,000. The entire district will complete its target by January, said Deependrasinh Kushwah, Sangli district collector.

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