Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, October 4, launched a three-month nationwide drive to help people recover their unclaimed financial assets, including dormant bank deposits, unpaid insurance claims, dividends, shares and mutual fund proceeds. The campaign, called ‘Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar – Your Money, Your Right’, was inaugurated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and will run till December 2025. Officials said the initiative is meant to make the process of claiming easier and more transparent, with on-the-spot assistance and digital tools for citizens.
‘Claim what is rightfully yours’
Addressing the launch event, Sitharaman said the campaign followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advice to “go among the people and call upon them to claim what is rightfully theirs.”
She added that Gujarat had taken the lead in implementing the initiative and stressed the need for greater awareness, particularly in rural areas.
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“If the three A’s – Awareness, Access and Action are fulfilled, the money lying in safe custody can be rightfully claimed by the people with proper documents,” she said.
Digital tools and on-site assistance
During the campaign, officials from financial institutions and regulatory bodies will provide step-by-step demonstrations on how citizens can search for unclaimed assets, update their records and complete the claim process.
Information desks and outreach events will be held to guide people through digital portals designed to simplify tracing and verification.
The Finance Ministry said the initiative will bring together the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under a coordinated effort.
Joint effort by Centre, states and regulators
Sitharaman said that reclaiming unclaimed assets required coordinated action across the entire financial ecosystem – including banks, state governments and regulators.
“With concerted efforts from all, everyone will be able to reclaim their money. This is not only our assurance but also our duty,” she said.
At the event, the Finance Minister also handed over cheques to a few individuals who had successfully claimed their financial assets, marking the formal start of the national drive.
Citizens urged to spread awareness
Sitharaman called on citizens to become “ambassadors” of the campaign by encouraging friends, families and communities to check for unclaimed funds and register on the official portals.
“This initiative has the potential to benefit countless citizens. I humbly request you to spread the word about this campaign in your communities and nearby areas,” she said.
