Empowering Citizens Through Financial Awareness
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman officially inaugurated the ‘Aapki Punji Aapka Adhikar’ campaign in Gandhinagar, marking the beginning of a nationwide effort to reunite citizens with their unclaimed financial assets. The campaign seeks to create awareness, streamline claim processes, and ensure that rightful owners receive their money efficiently and transparently.
Addressing the audience at the launch event, the Finance Minister said that this campaign is a crucial step towards financial empowerment and transparency in the system. “The campaign will ensure the rightful return of unclaimed deposits to their legitimate claimants,” Sitharaman said, urging all citizens and financial institutions to work together to spread awareness.
She highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between claimants and institutions holding unclaimed assets, noting that financial literacy and awareness will play a vital role in ensuring the success of the campaign.
Gujarat Takes the Lead
Gujarat’s Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai, who was present at the event, praised the initiative as a milestone in citizen-centric governance. He assured that unclaimed deposits held by financial institutions in Gujarat will be processed and settled promptly under the new framework.
Desai also expressed gratitude to the Central Government for introducing multiple reforms aimed at improving citizens’ financial well-being, including income tax relief measures, GST reforms, and initiatives that promote ease of access to government services.
Addressing ₹1.82 Lakh Crore in Unclaimed Assets
According to official data, an estimated ₹1.82 lakh crore worth of unclaimed assets are currently lying across various sectors of India’s financial ecosystem. These include dormant bank accounts, unclaimed insurance policies, pension fund contributions, mutual fund investments, and other financial instruments that remain unclaimed due to lack of awareness or documentation.
The new campaign will run for the next three months, reaching every district in the country through awareness drives, camps, and digital outreach initiatives. Financial institutions will collaborate with local authorities to identify claimants, simplify documentation processes, and speed up settlements.
During the launch, several citizens were handed certificates confirming the retrieval of their unclaimed funds, symbolizing the first step toward resolving long-standing issues in India’s financial claim process.
Strengthening Trust and Transparency
The ‘Aapki Punji Aapka Adhikar’ campaign reflects the government’s broader vision of promoting trust and accountability within India’s financial system. By making data more accessible and empowering citizens to reclaim their money, the initiative strengthens the relationship between financial institutions and the public.
The campaign also aligns with the Digital India mission by encouraging the use of online tools and platforms to track and verify unclaimed deposits. The integration of digital databases and centralized information hubs will make the process smoother for beneficiaries across the country.
A Step Toward Financial Inclusion
Beyond just recovering unclaimed funds, the initiative emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and inclusion. By encouraging citizens to stay engaged with their financial accounts and investments, the campaign aims to build a culture of awareness and responsibility.
As India continues to expand its digital financial ecosystem, such initiatives will play a crucial role in ensuring that no citizen’s hard-earned money remains out of reach. The Finance Ministry hopes the campaign will set a precedent for proactive, citizen-first governance in the financial sector.
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