Sitharaman launches Nationwide ‘Aapki Punji Aapka Adhikar’ campaign

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday launched the nationwide awareness campaign “Aapki Punji, Aapka Adhikar” (Your Money, Your Right) from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, aimed at facilitating the speedy settlement of unclaimed financial assets lying across the country’s financial system.Addressing the gathering, the Finance Minister said the initiative will ensure the rightful return of unclaimed deposits to legitimate claimants, thereby strengthening financial empowerment. “This campaign is about bridging the gap between financial institutions and citizens. It is crucial that we spread awareness so that beneficiaries can access what is rightfully theirs,” Sitharaman said.
According to information,the three-month campaign, running from October to December 2025, is being coordinated by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.Unclaimed assets such as bank deposits, insurance claims, pension funds, dividends, shares, and mutual fund proceeds often remain untouched due to lack of awareness or outdated account details. The campaign will provide on-the-spot guidance to citizens on how to search for unclaimed assets, update records, and complete claim procedures. Digital tools, simplified claim procedures, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and FAQs will be showcased to make the process more transparent and user-friendly.
Ahead of the launch, Sitharaman visited the dedicated stalls set up by fund regulators, banks, insurance companies, and pension institutions at a financial inclusion exhibition in Gandhinagar. The stalls offered citizens information sharing, on-the-spot guidance on claim processes, and grievance redressal mechanisms. She also interacted with various stakeholders during the exhibition, underscoring the government’s commitment to citizen-centric financial services.

According to the Finance Ministry, nearly Rs1.82 lakh crore worth of unclaimed assets are currently lying with financial institutions across India. During the Gandhinagar launch event, several beneficiaries were awarded certificates confirming the retrieval of their unclaimed assets.“The Government of India is committed to ensuring that every rupee saved by citizens reaches its rightful owner or their heirs,” Sitharaman emphasised, urging people to actively participate in the campaign and spread awareness at the grassroots level.

I urge you all to become ambassadors of this campaign, reach out to people you know, ask if they hold any papers of unclaimed financial assets, and guide them to register on the portal to claim what is rightfully theirs.

This initiative has the potential to benefit countless… pic.twitter.com/fmdzfRKR8h

— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) October 4, 2025

Speaking on the occasion, Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai described the initiative as a benchmark in citizen-centric governance. He assured that all unclaimed assets in Gujarat would be settled promptly and thanked the central government for introducing several pro-citizen measures, including income tax relief and GST reforms.As part of the campaign, a special financial inclusion exhibition is being organised, featuring stalls from banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and pension institutions. Citizens will be able to directly engage with service providers to trace and claim their funds.

(State Correspondent)