New Delhi, Aug. 28 -- More than 56 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened, in the last 11 years, bringing millions into the formal banking system, said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a message marking the 11 years of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28th August 2014.

"Financial inclusion is a key driver of economic growth and development. Universal access to bank accounts enables the poor and marginalised to participate fully in the formal economy and benefit from its opportunities," Sitharaman said.

She stated that PMJDY has been one of the major channels for delivering benefits under various schemes, utilising Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), providing credit facilit...