“आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार” — A Nationwide Campaign to Help Citizens Reclaim Their Hard-Earned Money
Gandhinagar, October 4, 2025:
Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman today launched the nationwide financial awareness campaign “आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार” in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The initiative aims to help citizens trace and reclaim their unclaimed financial assets—including deposits, insurance proceeds, dividends, mutual fund balances, and pensions—that often remain forgotten in various financial institutions.
???? A Campaign with a Message of Trust and Empowerment
While launching the campaign, the Finance Minister emphasized that “Unclaimed deposits are not mere entries on paper; they represent the hard-earned savings of ordinary families.”
She highlighted that these funds can make a real difference in people’s lives—supporting education, healthcare, and financial security.
Smt. Sitharaman outlined the “3As Strategy” — Awareness, Accessibility, and Action — as the guiding framework for this campaign:
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Awareness – Informing citizens on how to identify and claim unclaimed assets.
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Accessibility – Simplifying processes through digital tools and district-level outreach.
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Action – Ensuring time-bound, transparent, and fair claim settlements.
“These three pillars,” she said, “will bridge the gap between citizens and financial institutions, ensuring that every rupee returns to its rightful owner.”
???? Bringing Institutions and Citizens Closer
The Finance Minister acknowledged the efforts of regional rural banks like Gujarat Gramin Bank and other financial institutions for their proactive participation in KYC and re-KYC drives. Such initiatives, she noted, have strengthened the link between citizens and the formal financial system — a foundation on which this new campaign will build further.
Smt. Sitharaman also handed over certificates to beneficiaries who successfully reclaimed their unclaimed deposits, symbolizing the real impact this campaign aims to create across the nation.
???? Voices of Support
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, in his message, praised the initiative as a collective effort to strengthen public trust, dignity, and empowerment.
He encouraged citizens to take part actively, highlighting that the campaign is not only about money but also about restoring people’s connection to their financial rights.
State Finance Minister of Gujarat, Shri Kanubhai Desai, expressed pride in the campaign being launched from Gujarat and assured full state support. “Unclaimed deposits,” he said, “are useful for education, empowerment, and meeting essential financial needs.”
Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Shri M. Nagaraju, shared key figures to underline the scale of unclaimed funds:
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Over ₹75,000 crore of unclaimed deposits have been transferred to RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness Fund.
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₹13,800 crore in unclaimed insurance proceeds.
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₹3,000 crore in unclaimed mutual fund balances.
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₹9,000 crore in unpaid dividends.
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Around 172 crore shares transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund.
He stressed the need for quick and fair claim processing, ensuring that citizens “walk away with clarity and confidence.”
???? Reaching Every Citizen, in Every District
From October to December 2025, the campaign will cover all districts across India.
Digital demonstrations and local helpdesks will be set up to guide people through the process of tracing and claiming their assets.
The campaign is being coordinated by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with:
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RBI (Reserve Bank of India)
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SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)
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IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)
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PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority)
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IEPFA (Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority)
along with banks, insurance companies, mutual fund houses, and pension institutions.
???? A Step Toward Meaningful Financial Inclusion
This initiative builds on India’s major financial inclusion reforms—Jan Dhan Yojana, UPI, and Direct Benefit Transfers—by ensuring that citizens not only gain access to financial services but also reclaim what rightfully belongs to them.
With “आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार,” the Government of India reaffirms its vision of a transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centric financial system, where every household can access, manage, and benefit from its rightful wealth.