Government Introduces Over 200 Schemes to Alleviate Poverty in the Last Decade, Says MoS Harsh Malhotra

The Narendra Modi administration has introduced over 200 initiatives for the underprivileged in the past decade, according to Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways. During a press briefing, Malhotra highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) as a pivotal scheme that integrated the poor into the banking system.

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Currently, PMJDY boasts more than 54 crore accounts with a total deposit balance of approximately Rs 2.39 lakh crore. This marks a more than 15-fold increase since the scheme's inception. Malhotra noted the scheme's success in rural and semi-urban areas, particularly among women, who account for about 66% of these accounts.

Financial Inclusion and Empowerment

The minister stressed that PMJDY and the JAM Trinity have significantly enhanced financial inclusion. They have empowered citizens by providing access to banking services, promoting transparency, and reducing corruption. As of November 30, 2024, around 36 crore Ayushman cards have been issued nationwide.

Additionally, approximately 29,929 hospitals are part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, including 13,222 private hospitals. This initiative aims to provide healthcare access to millions across India.

Impact on Poverty Reduction

Malhotra stated that the government's efforts have led to 25 crore people rising out of poverty over the last ten years. He highlighted that Delhi alone has 65 lakh PM Jan Dhan Accounts with deposits totalling Rs 3,114 crore and 50 lakh RuPay card beneficiaries.

The issuance of RuPay cards has been substantial, with 37.02 crore cards distributed to PMJDY account holders. The average deposit per account has also seen a significant rise.

As of August 14, 2024, the average deposit in Jan Dhan Accounts was Rs 4,352. This reflects an increase in savings among account holders.

The government's comprehensive approach to tackling poverty has been multi-faceted. It has focused on financial inclusion and healthcare access as key strategies in its fight against poverty.