New Delhi: The big surge in deposits into Jan Dhan accounts after the demonetisation announcement seems to be stabilizing now as just Rs1,487 crore has been parked in them over 7 days up to 30 November, as against Rs8,283 crore in the previous week.

Deposits in 25.85 crore such accounts totalled Rs74,321.55 crore at the end of 30 November, according to the finance ministry data. The overall amount was Rs72,834.72 crore in 25.68 crore accounts at the end of 23 November.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised the entire nation with demonetization of Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes on 8 November, deposits in Jan Dhan accounts have increased by Rs28,685 crore.

As of 9 November, the balance in about 25.5 crore such accounts was Rs45,636.61 crore.

Interestingly, the percentage of zero balance account still remains flat at about 22.85% despite surge in deposits.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna was launched in August 2014 to increase banking penetration and promote financial inclusion in the country. Such accounts have a deposit limit of Rs50,000.

In order to check the misuse of Jan Dhan accounts by black money hoarders following demonetisation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has restricted the withdrawal from such accounts to Rs10,000 per month. According to RBI, fully KYC (know your customer)-compliant Jan Dhan account holders will be allowed to withdraw Rs10,000 per month from their account, while limited or non-KYC compliant account holders can withdraw Rs5,000 per month.

It said, however, that branch managers may allow further withdrawals beyond Rs10,000 a month within the current applicable limits only after ascertaining the genuineness of such withdrawals and duly documenting the same on bank’s record.

The government suspects that black money hoarders are using farmers’ and other people’s Jan Dhan accounts to deposit their ill-gotten money so that they can safely convert that money into white.

On Saturday, the prime minister said he is working on a formula on how to send the corrupt to jail who deposited their money in Jan Dhan accounts of poor after demonetisation and ensure this money goes to the poor households.

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