6.02 crore bank accounts opened under Jan Dhan scheme

NEW DELHI: Over six crore bank accounts have been opened so far under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Finance Minister Arun Jaitely said today.

"We have launched the Jan Dhan Yojana and so far under the Jan Dhan Yojana 6.02 crore accounts have been opened. Our target has been 7.5 crore (by January 26, next year)," he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

Announcing the Cabinet decision on the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme (DBTL), Jaitley said the new form of the scheme will incorporate those beneficiaries who have bank accounts. Earlier the scheme was linked with Aadhaar numbers.

"We have decided that in addition to the Aadhaar platform, all those who have a bank accounts will also get the LPG subsidy in their accounts directly," Jaitley said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 28 launched the the Jan Dhan scheme to boost financial inclusion.

Under the scheme, the account holders will get an overdraft facility of Rs 5,000. They would also be provided with a RuPay debit cards and Rs 1 lakh accident insurance cover.