Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream scheme "Pradhan Matri Jan-Dhan Yojana" completed three years. In 2014, Modi had announced this financial scheme on the eve of Independence Day.

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Congratulating the beneficiaries, Modi on Monday said, "Today, Jan Dhan Yojana completes 3 years. I congratulate the crores of people, particularly the poor, who benefitted from this initiative. Jan Dhan Revolution is a historic movement to bring the poor, downtrodden and marginalised into the financial mainstream."

On Sunday, while addressing the nation over his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', he had said in the last three years 30 crore families have been linked to Jan-Dhan Yojana and Rs 65,000 crore has been deposited in their accounts. 

"We have connected 30 crore new families to it, opened new accounts. This number is more than the population of several countries," Modi had said.

While the government is cheering on completion of three years of the scheme, here's a look at its journey:

What is the yojana?

Starting with, Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is "National Mission for Financial Inclusion" to ensure access to financial services, namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner.

Account can be opened in any bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitr) outlet. Accounts opened under PMJDY are being opened with Zero balance. However, if the account-holder wishes to get cheque book, he/she will have to fulfill minimum balance criteria.

The Zero balance policy was the main highlight of the scheme. To open a Jan Dhan account is free of cost and does not require any amount to be deposited initially. Most savings bank accounts require an initial deposit to open a bank account and also a minimum balance to be maintained on a monthly or quarterly basis. 

But with a Jan Dhan account, these requirements are done away with so that anyone can open this account even if they do not have money to deposit right away.

Interestingly, Ministry of Finance, which runs the scheme holds a Guinness World Record for the highest number of accounts opened in a week anywhere in the world. Over 1,80,96,130 accounts were opened by individuals during the first week of launch of the scheme.

The collection data

Rs 65,000 crore in 30 crore Jan Dhan accounts: PM Narendra Modi

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