Jan Dhan accounts cross 55 crore mark; FM Nirmala Sitharaman urges KYC completion

August 3, 2025 3:01 PM

Jan Dhan accounts cross 55 crore mark; FM Nirmala Sitharaman urges KYC completion

The number of bank accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has crossed the 55 crore mark, with “most of these accounts belonging to people who had never even seen the door of a bank,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday. In a post on X, the Finance Minister said, “With the programme completing 10 years & these accounts requiring KYCs, I urged the banks to start an initiative of reaching out to people for the same. Since 1st July 2025, banks have...

BRICS must amplify voice of Global South: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

July 8, 2025 1:26 PM

BRICS must amplify voice of Global South: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while attending the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, underscored the importance of the BRICS grouping in representing the interests of the Global South. Highlighting India’s economic resilience, Sitharaman credited strong domestic demand, sound macroeconomic management, and targeted fiscal measures for the country’s robust performance. She also noted that India’s policy ...

FM Nirmala Sitharaman takes stock of financial inclusion schemes in Ladakh

June 15, 2025 2:59 PM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman takes stock of financial inclusion schemes in Ladakh

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday visited an exhibition of local handicrafts and handloom products by Self Help Groups (SHG) and local entrepreneurs of the Ladakh region. She interacted with artisans, women-led SHGs and local entrepreneurs showcasing traditional crafts, handloom textiles and sustainable innovations at their stalls. The Finance Minister appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of the artisans, highlighting their role in preserving cultural heritage and ...

Over 90 times rise in direct benefit transfer in just a decade: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

June 12, 2025 12:21 PM

Over 90 times rise in direct benefit transfer in just a decade: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

There has been more than 90 times rise in direct benefit transfer (DBT) in just a decade under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday. Moreover, India leads the world in real-time payments, with more than Rs 260 lakh crore worth of transactions processed in 2024-25, informed Sitharaman on X. “From Rs 7,368 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 6.83 lakh crore in 2024-25, there has been a 90X+ rise in DBT transfer in just a decade under Prime Mi...

India’s infrastructure sees rapid progress in last decade as capex surges: FM Sitharaman

June 11, 2025 12:01 PM

India’s infrastructure sees rapid progress in last decade as capex surges: FM Sitharaman

India’s infrastructure has seen rapid progress in the last decade, as capital expenditure surged from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 11.21 lakh crore in 2025-26 - a significant six times increase towards the 'Viksit Bharat' goal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday. “India’s Infrastructure has seen rapid progress in the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Allocation for capital expenditure at its highest-ever at Rs 11.21 lakh crore during ...

India embraces cashless revolution in last 11 years: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

June 9, 2025 11:15 AM

India embraces cashless revolution in last 11 years: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that India is embracing a cashless revolution with world-class digital initiatives like Unified Payments Interface (UPI). “In the last 11 years, India has seen a remarkable journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From making life easier for the common citizen to boosting business confidence, it's been a decade of real and visible change,” the Finance Minister said on a post on X. “India is embracing a cashless...

DBT, Jan Dhan schemes revolutionised welfare delivery in India: FM Sitharaman

June 5, 2025 12:31 PM

DBT, Jan Dhan schemes revolutionised welfare delivery in India: FM Sitharaman

Several groundbreaking financial inclusion schemes by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government have revolutionised welfare delivery in India in the last 11 years, by plugging leakages and ensuring transparency, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday. Over the past decade, the NDA government has taken pathbreaking steps to uplift several people from the clutches of poverty, focussing on empowerment, infrastructure and inclusion. “Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has revoluti...

Break big smuggling syndicates, curb narcotics trade: FM Sitharaman tells DRI

June 3, 2025 4:10 PM

Break big smuggling syndicates, curb narcotics trade: FM Sitharaman tells DRI

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asked the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to adopt a holistic and technology-driven approach to tackle smuggling and narcotics trade amid increasingly complex geopolitical environment and security threats. In her address at the inaugural event of the DRI’s new headquarters, the Finance Minister said there was a need to go beyond surface-level enforcement and focus on uncovering deeper systemic threats. "Investigate holistically, keepin...