Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched a campaign to help citizens reclaim their unclaimed financial assets, which amount to a staggering Rs 1.84 lakh crore. The ‘Apki Poonji, Apka Adhikar’ (Your Money, Your Right) campaign aims to create awareness, improve accessibility, and facilitate action to help people regain access to their savings. The unclaimed assets include dormant deposits, insurance proceeds, dividends, mutual fund balances, and pensions, which are currently lying with Indian banks, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF).
Sitharaman emphasized that these assets are not just numbers on paper, but represent the hard-earned savings of ordinary families that can support education, healthcare, and financial security. She reassured the public that the assets are safe and that the government is committed to helping citizens reclaim them. The campaign is guided by the “3 A’s” – Awareness, Accessibility, and Action – which will help bridge the gap between citizens and financial institutions, promoting community awareness and ensuring that every individual can reclaim their rightful savings with dignity and ease.
To facilitate the claims, the government has introduced digital tools, including the RBI’s UDGAM portal, which allows citizens to access information and claim their unclaimed deposits. Sitharaman urged citizens not to ignore even small entitlements and to come forward to claim their assets. She also acknowledged the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and commended the efforts of Gujarat Gramin Bank, which has committed to visiting every village in the state to locate and inform rightful owners of unclaimed deposits.
The campaign is part of the government’s drive towards financial inclusion and asset recovery, and it is expected to benefit thousands of citizens who have unclaimed assets lying with financial institutions. Sitharaman emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the campaign and encouraging citizens to come forward to claim their assets. With the help of this campaign, the government hopes to ensure that every rupee saved by Indian citizens returns to them or their families, and that no one is left behind in accessing their rightful savings.