People at a Jan Dhan Yojana counter in Bhopal
A few days ago, full-page advertisements had appeared in newspapers claiming the state government had achieved the target of having opened 60 lakh accounts and thereby linking all 1.54 crore families in the state in the
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, a financial inclusion programme kick-started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
But beyond such glossy advertisements and claims, a closer look reveals that several families, who are in dire need of such schemes are yet to be enrolled.
Renu's family, which lives very close to the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, is one such case. Three of Renu's family members are gas tragedy victims who need regular medical care and a scheme like Jan Dhan Yojana which provides medical, life cover and a bank overdraft of Rs 5000, can prove to be a great support.
"We do not have a bank account," said Renu Devi. "Officials had come 8 days ago for enrollment. I did not have my photo id handy so they did not enroll us then."
In Sukhi Sevania, 20 kilometres away from the state capital, one could easily find many families who are yet to open a bank account. But the assigned bank branch claims they have enrolled all families in 22 the villages allotted to them.
"We surveyed as per orders and 1 member from each family with no bank accounts have been enrolled in the scheme. Yes we have covered 100 percent families in the villages allotted to us," said Seema Ambane, bank manager, Bank of Baroda.
While the state government may not have fudged data but when many several members from a single family are allotted bank accounts under the scheme, in government records, a single account may have been considered as one 'family'.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh clarified, "We have crosschecked if there is some confusion about scheme that their existing bank account is not a jan dhan scheme. If some families have been left out, they can call on 181 and tell us, they will be enrolled. But the data we have given has been crosschecked, not only by the state government but also the banks involved."
The scheme has proved to be fruitful otherwise for other families.
"We got to know from the people about the scheme," said Bati Bai of Amoni village. "So, me, my son and daughter-in-law went to enroll. We will be getting life covers which are beneficial for us."