Average Jan-Dhan account deposit swells 2.7 times to Rs 3,398 in 7 years

New Delhi: Average deposit per Jan-Dhan account has increased 2.7 times in the last seven years of financial inclusion drive to Rs 3,398 indicating higher usage of the no-frills account and also saving habit among account-holders.

As per official data, average deposit per Jan-Dhan account in August 2015 was Rs 1,279. Growing steadily since then, it reached Rs 3,398 in August, 2021.

Presently, there are 43.04 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts out of which 36.86 crore (86%) are operative. While 55% of the Jan-Dhan account holders are women, 67% Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas.

Only 8.2% PMJDY accounts are zero balance accounts.

The total deposit balances under PMJDY Accounts stand at Rs 1,46,230 crore, up 6.38 times since August, 2015.

The government has been working to ensure coverage of PMJDY account holders under micro insurance schemes which comprise of Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY).

While PMSBY is an accidental insurance scheme, the PMJJBY is a life insurance scheme. As the two schemes are government-backed, the annual premium is very low with Rs 12 for accidental insurance while Rs 330 for life insurance.

"Eligible PMJDY account holders will be sought to be covered under PMJJBY and PMSBY. Banks have already been communicated about the same," an official statement from Finance Ministry said on Saturday.

PM Jan Dhan Yojana transformed India's development trajectory: Modi

Expressing happiness on completion of seven years of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the scheme has forever transformed India's development trajectory.

He applauded the untiring efforts of all those who have worked to make the scheme a success.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, "Today we mark seven years of #PMJanDhan, an initiative that has forever transformed India's development trajectory. It has ensured financial

inclusion and a life of dignity as well as empowerment for countless Indians. Jan Dhan Yojana has also helped further transparency.

I would like to applaud the untiring efforts of all those who have worked to make #PMJanDhan a success. Their efforts have ensured the people of India lead a better quality of life."

As per official data, the average deposit per Jan-Dhan account in August 2015 was Rs 1,279. Growing steadily since then, it reached Rs 3,398 in August, 2021.

Presently, there are 43.04 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts out of which 36.86 crore (86 per cent) are operative. While 55 per cent of the Jan-Dhan account holders are women, 67 per cent Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas.(UNI)