Over 28 crore Jan Dhan accounts held by Women: Sitharaman
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said expanding financial access is enabling women in India to achieve greater economic independence, with more than 28 crore Jan Dhan accounts now held by women.
In a post on X on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Sitharaman said initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and the rise of “Lakhpati Didis” are strengthening women’s financial participation and transforming households and communities across the country.
“When women gain financial access, they gain independence. Women now hold over 28 crore Jan Dhan accounts, bringing financial services to households across India and strengthening their financial independence,” the Finance Minister said.
She added that women are increasingly emerging as wealth creators, rather than merely participants in the economy.
Sitharaman also noted that more than three crore women have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ — rural women who have crossed an annual income of Rs 1 lakh through self-help groups and entrepreneurial activities.
“With over 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’, women across rural India are transforming livelihoods, uplifting families and strengthening the rural economy,” she said.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also praised the role of women in nation-building in a message posted on X.
He said that “Nari Shakti” lies at the heart of building a new India and stressed that empowering women is essential for the country’s development.
Goyal added that women are driving India’s transformation across sectors such as entrepreneurship, sports, defence, science and rural development.
Marking International Women’s Day, he called for renewed commitment to supporting the aspirations and contributions of women in shaping a stronger and more prosperous India. (IANS)
