Every Fourth Jan Dhan Account Inactive, Reflects Failure of Modi Govt’s Policies: Gehlot

Gehlot Raises Questions Over Jan Dhan Accounts

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday criticised the Narendra Modi government over the status of accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

Gehlot claimed that every fourth Jan Dhan account is inactive and that 5.72 crore accounts do not have even a single rupee. He cited an RTI response on the financial inclusion scheme while arguing that the figures raise questions about the effectiveness of the government's welfare policies.

Gehlot Links Inactive Accounts to Poverty

In a statement, Gehlot alleged that the figures represented the "real picture" behind the Modi government's claims regarding welfare for the poor.

He argued that flawed government policies were contributing to rising poverty and leaving a large number of accounts without funds, while a small section of wealthy Indians continued to become richer. These are Gehlot's political claims, rather than independently established conclusions from the cited RTI data.

5.72 Crore Jan Dhan Accounts Reportedly Have No Balance

According to Gehlot's statement, 5.72 crore Jan Dhan accounts had no money in them. He presented the figure as evidence that simply opening bank accounts does not necessarily translate into meaningful financial inclusion or economic security for beneficiaries.

The Jan Dhan scheme was launched in 2014 with the objective of expanding access to formal banking and financial services, particularly for people who had previously remained outside the banking system.

Congress Leader Highlights Rising Inequality

Gehlot also used the issue to highlight what he described as a widening gap between the rich and the poor.

He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly raised concerns over economic inequality and argued that the government should pay greater attention to the financial condition of vulnerable sections of society.

Gehlot Criticises Changes to Welfare Policies

The former Rajasthan chief minister also criticised what he described as the discontinuation or weakening of welfare schemes aimed at poorer sections.

He specifically referred to MGNREGA, claiming that the consequences of changes to welfare programmes had not yet been fully felt and could worsen the economic situation of vulnerable households.

Jan Dhan Scheme and Financial Inclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was introduced as a major financial inclusion initiative, aimed at providing access to bank accounts and other financial services to people who lacked formal banking access.

The latest political controversy centres on whether the large number of zero-balance or inactive accounts should be viewed as evidence of shortcomings in the scheme or as part of the broader challenge of maintaining active financial accounts among low-income households.

Gehlot has used the reported figures to argue that account opening alone is not enough and that welfare policies must also ensure sustained income and access to financial resources.

Political Debate Over Modi Government Policies

Gehlot's remarks are likely to add to the ongoing political debate between the Congress and BJP over poverty, welfare delivery and economic inequality.

While the Congress leader has portrayed the Jan Dhan figures as evidence of policy failure, the claim remains part of a broader political argument over the government's economic record. The cited reports primarily establish Gehlot's statement and the figures he referenced; they do not independently establish that inactive or zero-balance accounts were caused by specific government policies.