Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called on citizens across the country to take active steps in spreading awareness about unclaimed financial assets, emphasising that money lying dormant in banks, insurance policies, shares, dividends, and mutual fund proceeds should rightfully return to individuals or their heirs. Launching a nationwide awareness campaign from Gandhinagar on Saturday, the minister underscored the importance of bridging the gap between people and their unclaimed savings.
She stressed that if the three “A”s, Awareness, Access, and Action, are met, reclaiming funds becomes a straightforward process, provided citizens have the necessary documents in place. According to her, this campaign is not only about financial recovery but also about empowering people to exercise their rightful claim over assets that often go unnoticed.
The minister urged citizens to act as ambassadors of the campaign, advising them to check old financial records within families and communities. She encouraged people to guide relatives, neighbours, and acquaintances towards the official portal designed for claims, describing it as a simple yet powerful way to return money to rightful owners.
In her address, Sitharaman acknowledged the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in shaping this initiative. She recalled his suggestion to reach out directly to the people to remind them of their rightful claims. Reflecting that guidance, she noted that Gujarat has taken the lead by hosting the inaugural launch of the campaign. A post shared on social media highlighted her gratitude to the Prime Minister for pushing this citizen-focused initiative.
The Finance Minister outlined that unclaimed assets accumulate mainly because of outdated account details, incomplete documentation, or a general lack of awareness among citizens. As a result, substantial amounts remain untouched in banks, insurance companies, and investment firms. She pointed out that reclaiming these funds is not just a matter of individual financial recovery but also of strengthening household-level financial inclusion.
She emphasised the collaborative approach required for the campaign’s success. With the Finance Ministry, regulators, state governments, and banking institutions working in tandem, the goal is to activate every link in the financial chain. By reaching even the most remote villages, the initiative aims to ensure that no rightful claim is left behind. According to her, this is both an assurance and a responsibility of the government.
The initiative comes at a time when policymakers are increasingly highlighting the importance of financial literacy and inclusion. Experts note that unclaimed deposits and assets often represent years of savings left unutilised, either because the original depositor is no longer alive or because heirs are unaware of the existence of such funds. The campaign, therefore, seeks to serve as a bridge between citizens and institutions holding these assets.
Unclaimed financial assets include lapsed insurance policies, forgotten bank accounts, unpaid dividends, dormant shares, and mutual fund proceeds that have not been transferred to beneficiaries. By launching this campaign, the government aims to ensure that these amounts find their way back into the economy through rightful ownership rather than remaining locked in institutions indefinitely.
The Finance Ministry reiterated that reclaiming unclaimed financial assets is not merely an option but a duty towards strengthening the financial security of families. Citizens are encouraged to participate actively, verify old documents, and spread awareness in their communities. With sustained efforts, officials believe that the campaign could unlock significant sums for households across the country.
The nationwide campaign is expected to gather momentum in the coming months as awareness spreads through grassroots networks. The government remains committed to making the process transparent, accessible, and effective so that every rupee saved by citizens is duly returned to them or their nominees.
