• "Vish-chakra se gareebon ki aazadi ka parv" – celebration of
liberation of the poor from a poisonous cycle
• A record unprecedented in economic history – 1.5 crore bank accounts opened
in one day
New Delhi,The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today declared the beginning of the end
of financial untouchability in India, with the opening of an estimated 1.5
crore bank accounts across the country, in an exercise unprecedented in scale
in economic history.
Formally launching the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) at a function
broadcast across the nation from Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the Prime Minister
described the occasion as a festival to celebrate the liberation of the poor
from a poisonous cycle. (Vish-chakra se gareebon ki aazaadi ka parv)
Expressing satisfaction at a number of records being broken today, the Prime
Minister said the nationwide success of the enrolment drive today would give
confidence not just to the officials of the Department of Financial Services
and banking sectors, but also to officers across the Union Government, that
they can successfully achieve the goals that they set for themselves.
"Never before would insurance companies have issued 1.5 crore accident
insurance policies in a single day. Never before in economic history would 1.5
crore bank accounts have been opened in a single day. Never before has the
Government of India organized a programme of such scale – over 77,000 locations
– with the participation of so many Chief Ministers, Union Ministers,
Government and bank officials." He said the success is an inspiration for
achieving new heights.
The Prime Minister said that though the initial target of PMJDY was to open
bank accounts for 7.5 crore families in one year, he had exhorted the concerned
officials to complete the task before the next Republic Day.
Elaborating the benefits under PMJDY, the Prime Minister said this was not a
mere bank account, but had other benefits including an RuPay debit card, Rs 1
lakh accident insurance cover, and an additional Rs. 30,000/- life insurance cover
for those opening bank accounts before January 26th, 2015. He said the account
performance would be monitored and overdraft facility would be given. The Prime
Minister said he had sent 7.25 lakh bank employees, exhorting them to help
reach the target of 7.5 crore bank accounts, and bring freedom from financial
untouchability.
The Prime Minister referred to the five beneficiary couples who had received
account opening kits in today's event at Vigyan Bhawan, and said the ladies
appeared to have dressed for a festival. He said they knew that there could be
no bigger festival than the opening of a bank account for empowering women.
The Prime Minister said when banks were nationalized in 1969, it was done with
the objective of bringing people into the economic mainstream. But that
objective had not been achieved till date. After 68 years of independence, not
even 68% of India's population had access to banking, he added. He said it is
easy for the rich to get a loan at low interest rates. But the poor are forced
to seek loans from money-lenders at five times the rate charged to the rich. Is
it not the responsibility of the banking industry to provide banking access to
the poor, the Prime Minister asked.
The Prime Minister illustrated his point through the example of a mother saving
money and being forced to hide it somewhere within the house. He said the bank
officials who had opened an account for such a mother, had been blessed today.
He said a breakthrough was required to overcome the vicious cycle of poverty
and debt, and that breakthrough had been achieved today. He said there were
similarities between the poor getting access to mobile telephones, and getting
access to debit cards. They both had the effect of instilling confidence and
pride among the poor, he added.
The Prime Minister referred to the ancient Sanskrit verse: Sukhasya Moolam
Dharma, Dharmasya Moolam Artha, Arthasya Moolam Rajyam – which puts the onus on
the state to involve people in economic activity. "This Government has
accepted this responsibility," the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said Indians had a habit of saving, and thinking about the
future of their children.
The Prime Minister also distributed awards to winners of the Name and Logo
contest for this scheme. He observed that those who won prizes were
predominantly from non-Hindi speaking states, but had won prizes for coining a
name and slogan in Hindi. This is an example of national integration, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister said PMJDY would be taken
forward in Mission Mode, and the first target of reaching 7.5 crore unbanked
families would be achieved by January 26th, 2015.
The Minister of State for Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, said the lady of
the house had been given priority in the PMJDY. She said this scheme would
touch the lives of everyone in a positive and constructive way.
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