Manipur: SBI–RBI joint camp educates public on unclaimed deposits & financial inclusion

Imphal: In line with directives from the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, the Lead Bank Office of SBI, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Imphal, organised a District-Level Awareness and Assistance Camp on the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund cum Field-Level Financial Literacy event at Makhan Centre Community Hall in Manipur's Senapati district bordering Nagaland to the north on December 5, 2025.

Organisers held the event to raise public awareness about unclaimed deposits and funds with banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions, and to promote financial inclusion and literacy.

More than 200 participants, including SHG members from five villages—Makhan Khullen, Makhan Khuman, Makhan Centre, Makhan Lovadziingho, and New Makhan—attended the programme.

Officials from public sector banks and their banking correspondents, government departments, LIC, and the Centre for Financial Literacy (CFL) of Tadubi and Purul blocks were also present.

The programme, moderated by Pikuo Chalai, Branch Manager, SBI Maram, began with a welcome address by Nenia Florence, Lead District Manager, who highlighted the background and benefits of the prompt settlement of unclaimed deposits.

RBI Deputy General Manager Chamailo M. Samuel spoke on RBI’s initiatives on financial inclusion, the status of unclaimed bank deposits in the state, and the utility of the Udgam Portal, an online platform that enables registered users to search unclaimed deposits across multiple banks.

He also underscored the significance of collaborative efforts by all stakeholders in promoting financial inclusion and literacy.

Lokho Peter, Regional Manager, SBI Imphal East region, explained the procedure for claiming unclaimed deposits and emphasised the importance of maintaining credit relationships and timely loan repayment.

He also briefed participants on various schemes for vendors and the RSETI training facilities available for unemployed youth.

Kapeo Joseph, Assistant Divisional Manager, LIC Imphal, highlighted the status of unclaimed insurance funds in the district and stressed the benefits of social security schemes such as PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY.

District Mission Manager of MSRLM H. Veisho spoke on the role and benefits of SHGs, particularly in promoting savings habits. DIC General Manager Rita Misao emphasised the importance of Udyam registration and informed attendees about government initiatives, including subsidised loans for women entrepreneurs, the Vendor Development Programme, and the RAMP scheme.

District Agriculture Officer L.S. Lavei James outlined various agriculture-related schemes for farmer entrepreneurs.

The camp facilitated on-the-spot submission of claims related to DEAF/unclaimed deposits, re-KYC of bank accounts, enrolment in social security schemes, and free Udyam online registration. A few utility items were also donated by RBI Imphal to the authorities of the five villages.