In a landmark move to restore confidence in the formal financial system, Union Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman today launched the nationwide awareness campaign “आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार” (Your Money, Your Right) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The campaign, inaugurated in the presence of State Finance Minister Mr. Kanubhai Desai, aims to help citizens reclaim their unclaimed deposits, insurance proceeds, dividends, mutual fund balances, and pensions.
Present at the launch were senior officials including Secretary, DFS Mr. M. Nagaraju, Executive Director of RBI, members from IRDAI, SEBI, PFRDA, and representatives from central and state governments as well as leading financial institutions.
Returning What’s Rightfully Yours: The Message behind the Campaign
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sitharaman said that every rupee saved by citizens must ultimately benefit them or their families. “Unclaimed deposits, insurance proceeds, dividends, mutual fund balances and pensions are not mere entries on paper; they represent the hard-earned savings of ordinary families — savings that can support education, healthcare, and financial security,” she said.
To bring clarity and action to this mission, she stressed the Three A’s — Awareness, Accessibility, Action — as core pillars:
- Awareness — Inform citizens how to trace unclaimed assets
- Accessibility — Provide simple digital tools and district-level outreach
- Action — Guarantee time-bound and transparent claim settlements
“These pillars will bridge the gap between citizens and institutions, and help individuals reclaim their rightful savings with dignity and ease,” she added.
Strengthening Roots Through Financial Outreach
The Finance Minister also applauded regional rural banks, particularly Gujarat Gramin Bank, for their role in KYC and re‑KYC campaigns. “These efforts have deepened the connection between citizens and their entitlements, forming a strong base for this campaign,” she observed.
She urged all institutions to sustain this momentum so that “no citizen remains disconnected from their rightful money.” During the event, she also presented certificates to beneficiaries who had successfully reclaimed their unclaimed deposits.
Gujarat Sets the Stage, Nationwide Roll‑out Begins
Speaking at the launch, State Finance Minister Mr. Kanubhai Desai said it was a matter of pride that the campaign began from Gujarat. He pledged state-level support for outreach and claimed that reclaimed funds can significantly aid education and financial inclusion for beneficiaries.
Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah, via a message, encouraged citizens to participate actively. He highlighted that the campaign transcends returning assets; it symbolises dignity, trust, and civic empowerment.
Scale of Unclaimed Assets: The Challenge Ahead
According to Mr. M. Nagaraju, as of August 2025:
- Over Rs. 75,000 crore of unclaimed deposits have been transferred to the RBI’s Depositor Education & Awareness Fund
- Unclaimed insurance proceeds exceed Rs. 13,800 crore
- Mutual fund balances unclaimed sum up to about Rs. 3,000 crore
- Unpaid dividends amount to more than Rs. 9,000 crore
He stressed that claims must be processed fairly, swiftly, and without undue hurdles, restoring clarity and confidence in the system. He noted nearly 172 crore shares had already been transferred to the Investor Education & Protection Fund.
The launch builds on India’s prior advances in financial inclusion — as seen through Jan Dhan Yojana, UPI, and direct benefit transfers — by ensuring that citizens not only gain access but reclaim what is theirs.
Campaign Rollout & Institutional Collaboration
With the Gandhinagar launch, the government reaffirmed its commitment to making financial inclusion meaningful, transparent, and accessible to every household. The campaign will run across all states and union territories between October and December 2025, supported by digital demos, helpdesks, and grassroots outreach to simplify tracing and claiming unclaimed assets.
The campaign is coordinated by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, and works in close partnership with RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, IEPFA, banks, insurance firms, mutual funds, and pension institutions.
This unified approach underscores a citizen‑centric governance model aimed at financial justice and transparency.
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