36 cr Ayushman cards issued till Nov, says Union Minister
Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, in a press conference on Friday, discussed transformative impact of key government initiatives, including the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar, Mobile) Trinity, digital transactions, and Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The minister emphasised that these reforms, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have significantly improved financial inclusion, transparency, and access to healthcare for millions of Indians.
Malhotra highlighted that the Modi Government had launched more than 200 schemes since 2014, aimed at uplifting the country’s 140 crore citizens.
“Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has integrated a significant portion of India’s population into the banking ecosystem, with more than 54 crore accounts and a total deposit balance of Rs 2.39 lakh crore — an increase of over 15 times since its inception,” Malhotra stated.
He pointed out that the PMJDY had been especially successful in rural and semi-urban areas, with around 66 per cent of the accounts coming from these regions. Additionally, over 37 crore RuPay cards have been issued, further promoting financial inclusion.
“The World Bank has acknowledged that India has achieved its financial inclusion goals in just six years, a feat that would have taken 47 years without its advanced digital public infrastructure,” Malhotra said.
The Union Minister also defended the ambitious Aadhaar-Mobile linkage project, which was initially criticised by the opposition.
He stated, “PMJDY, coupled with the JAM trinity, has become the world’s largest financial inclusion programme. Today, every rupee released from the Central Government reaches its intended beneficiary directly, eliminating middlemen and corruption. This has played a crucial role in enhancing the Indian economy and linking the previously neglected sections of society with it.”
Malhotra emphasised that JAM has not only driven the nation’s digital revolution but also fostered greater financial transparency and accountability. He revealed that over Rs 2.75 lakh crore had been prevented from going into the wrong hands due to the elimination of 10 crore fake beneficiaries.
“The average deposits in Jan Dhan accounts as of August 2024 stand at Rs 4,352. This has helped lift 25 crore people out of poverty in the past 10 years,” he added.
On the Ayushman Bharat initiative, Malhotra underscored its importance in ensuring inclusive healthcare for all. Launched in September 2018, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) provides health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
“As of November 2024, approximately 36 crore Ayushman cards have been issued, and nearly 30,000 hospitals have been empaneled under the scheme, ensuring quality healthcare services to the beneficiaries,” he said.
Malhotra also criticised the Delhi government for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme, despite previous assurances from Delhi’s former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in 2020.
