Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (CLP)

Mangalore, Aug 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Jan Dhan Yojna launched the much anticipated Jan Dhan Yojana in New Delhi on Thursday August 28, and simultaneously, the scheme was inaugurated at Town Hall in the city too.

The scheme aims to provide bank accounts to all, with a target of opening 1.5 crore accounts on day one. Mangalore too contributed with 50,000 accounts.

The Prime Minister addressed the 77,000 centers of the country through the tele-conference. He said, “By this programme the government of India has created history by opening one and a half crore bank accounts and insurance accounts nationwide on a single day. We have created history. I thank all the employees of all the banks, all the state governments for making it possible. Even though the banks were nationalized in 1968, even after 68 years of independence we have not been able to have accounts for 68% of the population of the country.

"For people who open accounts till January 26, there will be an additional life insurance of Rs 30,000. When these bank accounts are opened, imagine the difference it will make in the lives of women. They will bless us. Financial inclusion is our duty and we are doing our duty. Saving is in our nature, we don't depend on credit cards like other counties. This will help us fight corruption," he said.

Union minister for social justice and empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot inaugurated the programme at Town Hall.

Addressing the gathering, Gehlot spoke in Tulu and wished all a happy Ganesh Chaturthi,. "Ever since our nation became independent, various governments have launched various projects for the growth of the nation, but the progress could have been even faster. Japan became independent in 1949 after us, and even though the country was shattered in the atomic bomb explosion during the World War, Japan is now one of the top developed countries in the world. Also, even though there was financial crises in China, look at them now, they are also top in the list of the developed countries list. After starting this Jan Dhan Yojana, we will try to bring finacial equality and stability to the nation.
"The government project cannot be made successful only by officials, there needs to be involvement of the common man also. Let's work together hand in hand and make India a prosperous nation," he added.

Addressing the gathering MP Nalin Kumar Kateel declared the project as a revolutionary one and said, "Ever since the Modi regime came to power there has been a remarkable change in the district. This is not only a project which wipes the tears of the poor, it has created an affection for the Prime Minister in everyone's heart."

Minister for youth affairs and fisheries, Abhayachandra Jain said, "Due to the revolutionary measure of nationalization of banks by Indira Gandhi, we have been able to see banks becoming more beneficial to the common man. Along with her, the then union finance minister Janardhana Poojary is also responsible for today when everyone is able to take the benefit of banking. Our district is called the educational hub, and due to our banks it also can be called as the banking hub."

District in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai reiterated the promise of the state government in implementing the project on behalf of CM Siddaramaiah. "After independence the banks were in the hands of the capitalists. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had to face opposition from many while nationalizing the banks. If this was not done then it would not have been possible to implement this project so effectively. When all the banks of the world were facing global meltdown, the Indian banking sector was pretty safe. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s economic policies were solely responsible for this. Revolutionary projects like transfer of money directly to the accounts and Aadhar Card have contributed largely to better banking today."

The dignitaries later launched the project symbolically by distributing bank documents to 15 account holders of different banks of the district. MLAs J R Lobo, Angara, MLC Ivan D’souza, DC A B Ibrahim, ZP president Asha Thimmappa Gowda, ZP CEO Tulasi Maddineni, officers of various banks were among those present.