Nearly eight crore (80 million) people have opened bank accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana and government is hopeful that 10 crore (100 million) people will be covered under the scheme by January 26 next year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told Lok Sabha on Friday.

Jaitley said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the launching of PMJDY on August 15, 2014 and a target to cover 7.5 crore (75-million) household by January 26, 2015 has been set.

"Government's target is to cover 7.5 crore (75 million) household by January 26 and that means our target is to ensure opening of account by 10 crore (100 million) people.

About a day or two ago, 7.98 crore (79.8 million) people have opened their accounts and we hope that by January 26, 10 crore (100 million) people will be able to open the account," he said during Question Hour.

The Finance Minister said government's target was not villages only but cover every household of every village under the PMJDY.

"Besides, we are trying to open automated teller machine if not a branch in every area and also want to cover every village through business correspondent.

“Through this way, we want to expand the banking network in the country," he said.

Jaitley said government will ensure that no one takes wrong advantage of the scheme which is targeted at the weaker sections of the society.

Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.