Improving financial literacy way forward towards financial inclusion: Jayant Sinha-led panel

NEW DELHI: Improving financial literacy was stressed upon as way forward towards financial inclusion. This is the one of the outcomes of discussions held by a panel led by Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha.

The group identified people participation and use of technology as critical success factors for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY), government's flagship financial inclusion scheme.

As part of the ongoing civil services day function, eight panel discussions on the replication of Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded initiatives last year and four priority programmes of the government--PMJDY, Swachh Bharat (Grameen), Swachh Vidyalaya and Soil Health Card.

Efforts done towards financial inclusion along with way forward were discussed during the panel discussion led by Sinha.

"People participation, use of technology, role of bank mitras and convergence of schemes were identified as critical success factors for implementation of the scheme. Improving financial literacy was stressed upon as way forward towards financial inclusion," a press release issued today by Personnel Ministry said.

Minority Affairs Minister Najma A Heptulla chaired the panel discussion on "Preventing Child Marriages, Preventing Female Foeticide, Save the Womb and Malnutrition". This discussion focused on eliminating gender disparity by fighting issues such as preventing child marriages and female foeticide.

"Child sex ratio has been declining sharply in some states and there is an urgent need to stop female foeticide.

"Community mobilisation, economic empowerment of women and greater participation in public policy were identified as key dimensions for advancing women's rights. Initiatives such as 'Save the Girl Child' and 'Lado--Eradicating Child marriages' have shown positive results," it said.