Government Clarifies: No Instructions to Close Jan Dhan Accounts, Viral News Are Fake

Recently, some media reports claimed that the Department of Financial Services (DFS) had asked banks to close inactive accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

Now, the Finance Ministry has issued an official statement to clear the confusion. In a press release on Tuesday, the ministry said that the DFS has not given any instructions to banks to close inactive Jan Dhan accounts. The ministry called these media reports false and misleading.

The statement also said that the DFS is regularly checking the number of inactive Jan Dhan accounts. Banks have been asked to contact the account holders so that the inactive accounts can be made active again.

Scheme Details

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a government scheme to help people get basic banking services. These services include opening savings accounts, sending and receiving money, getting loans, insurance, and a pension. This scheme aims to give these services to all people in an easy and low-cost way. People who do not have a bank account can open a basic savings account in any bank or with a Bank Mitra (helper).

Under this scheme, one basic savings account is opened for people who do not have any accounts. There is no need to keep a minimum balance in the account. The money in the account earns interest. A RuPay debit card is given to the account holder. With this card, accident insurance of ₹1 lakh is also given. For accounts opened after 28 August 2018, the insurance is ₹2 lakh.

People who are eligible can also get an overdraft of up to ₹10,000. Jan Dhan account holders can also get the benefits of other government schemes like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and the MUDRA loan scheme.

Special Campaign Started from July 1

The Finance Ministry said that a special campaign started in the whole country from July 1.

This campaign will run for three months. Its goal is to spread government schemes like:

• Jan Dhan Yojana
• Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
• Atal Pension Yojana

and other help schemes to more people.

No Closing of Jan Dhan Accounts

The ministry also said that the number of Jan Dhan accounts is growing. There is no news of banks closing many inactive accounts.

Government Wants More People to Join

The government does not want to reduce Jan Dhan accounts. The goal is to add more people to the banking system. People should not believe fake news. Everyone is asked to use their Jan Dhan account and get the benefits of government schemes.