Meghalaya has 9.99 lakh Jan Dhan accounts; SBI holds 36% share

Shillong: Meghalaya has 9.99 lakh Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts, equivalent to 42,152 accounts per lakh adult population, with the State Bank of India (SBI) alone accounting for 3.55 lakh accounts, representing 36% of the total PMJDY accounts in the state, a senior official said.Ejaz Ahmad, deputy general manager, SBI, Shillong, said, “ Thegovt’s vision of making banking accessible, affordable and technology-driven has delivered tangible outcomes across the State.”He said enrolment under flagship social security schemes has expanded, with 5.08 lakh beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), 9.36 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and 1.02 lakh under Atal Pension Yojana (APY) in Meghalaya.Ahmad said Meghalaya registered 32.76 crore digital transactions during FY 2025 -26.Olden Nongpluh, general manager, RBI Shillong, said 98% of account holders in Meghalaya have adopted at least one digital mode of transaction, with efforts underway to achieve universal and ‘meaningful’ digital adoption.The developments were highlighted at a media workshop organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Shillong, on ‘Financial Inclusion & Digital Empowerment – 12 Years of the Govt’ in Shillong.

Presenting SBI’s financial inclusion initiatives, H. Khongsai, chief manager, SBI Shillong, said the bank has 113 branches, nearly 300 Customer Service Points (CSPs) and an alternate delivery network serving remote areas.Khongsai said SBI holds deposits of Rs 18,551 crore from Meghalaya residents and maintains a Credit-Deposit Ratio of 52%, reflecting its “continued commitment” to financing agriculture, MSMEs and entrepreneurship.He said more than 98% of SBI customers have migrated to digital and alternate banking channels through platforms including YONO, UPI, BHIM, RuPay Cards, Aadhaar Enabled Payment Systems and paperless account opening.