New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS): Banks have collected deposits of close to Rs.1,500 crore under the Jan Dhan scheme, while a survey of unbanked households is expected to complete by mid-October, the government Thursday said.

"Banks have collected deposits of Rs.1,496.51 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) so far which works out to be Rs.495 per account," the finance ministry said in a statement here informing that the union cabinet at its meeting Wednesday was apprised on the progress of the prime minister's financial inclusion scheme.

"A survey of unbanked households has also started and is expected to be Completed by Oct 15, 2014," it added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the pan-India financial inclusion scheme called "Jan Dhan Yojana" here on Aug 28 under which bank accounts and RuPay debit cards with an insurance cover of Rs.100,000 are being provided to millions who have been without access to formal banking facilities.

The finance ministry said that as against 3.02 crore accounts opened, banks have been able to issue only 3,360,000 RuPay Debit Cards.

"Banks are making all out efforts to clear this backlog and it is expected to be cleared in about four weeks' time," it said.

A draft scheme for life insurance cover of Rs.30,000 announced during the Jan Dhan launch has been worked-out and is under finalization, the statement added.

Reporting that many existing account holders have opened a new account to avail of incentives announced under the scheme, the ministry said: "Publicity is being given that the benefits announced under PMJDY can be extended to the existing account holders in their previous accounts as well and new account need not be opened for this."