Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, launched a nationwide financial awareness campaign in Gandhinagar on Saturday, called “आपकी पूँजी, आपका अधिकार” (Your savings, your right) in the presence of state finance minister Kanubhai Desai.

Speaking on the occasion, Sitharaman highlighted that the campaign carries a simple yet powerful message: every rupee saved by citizens must return to 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.

The minister also underscored the importance of the “3 A’s” — Awareness, Accessibility and Action — as the core principles guiding this campaign. Awareness seeks to guarantee that every citizen and community are informed about how to trace unclaimed assets. Accessibility focuses on providing simplified digital tools and district-level outreach. Action emphasises time-bound and transparent claim settlements.

“Together, these three pillars 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,” she said.

The finance minister also acknowledged the proactive role of regional rural banks, particularly Gujarat Gramin Bank, and other financial institutions, in the recent KYC and re-KYC campaigns, noting that these efforts have strengthened the link between citizens and the formal financial system. “Undertaken across villages and towns, such initiatives have ensured that beneficiaries remain connected to their savings and entitlements, laying a strong foundation for the success of the current campaign”, Sitharaman said.

She exhorted all institutions to continue their dedication and outreach in this nationwide initiative on unclaimed financial assets, ensuring no citizen is separated from their rightful money.

DFS secretary M. Nagaraju noted that as of August 2025, more than ₹75,000 crore of unclaimed deposits have been transferred to the RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness Fund. Further, Sh. Nagaraju added that unclaimed insurance proceeds amount to over ₹13,800 crore, unclaimed balances in mutual funds are about ₹3,000 crore, and unpaid dividends exceed ₹9,000 crore. 

“Claims must be processed quickly, fairly and without unnecessary hurdles to citizens, so that they walk away with clarity and confidence,” Nagaraju added. Nagaraju said that the campaign aims to achieve the department’s long-standing goal of financial empowerment of every citizen.

Nearly 172 crore shares have been transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund so far. The launch builds on India’s broader achievements in financial inclusion—from Jan Dhan Yojana and UPI to Direct Benefit Transfers—by ensuring that citizens not only gain access to financial services but also reclaim what rightfully belongs to them.