In line with the directives of 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 Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund cum Field-Level Financial Literacy programme at Makhan Centre Community Hall.

The programme was organised to create awareness about unclaimed deposits and funds lying with banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, and to promote financial inclusion and literacy. More than 200 participants, including Self-Help Group (SHG) members from Makhan Khullen, Makhan Khuman, Makhan Centre, Makhan Lovadziingho and New Makhan villages, attended the event. Officials from public sector banks, banking correspondents, government departments, LIC and the Centres for Financial Literacy (CFL) of Tadubi and Purul blocks were also present.

The programme was moderated by Pikuo Chalai, Branch Manager, SBI Maram. Nenia Florence, Lead District Manager, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the background and benefits of timely settlement of unclaimed deposits.

RBI Deputy General Manager Chamailo M. Samuel spoke on RBI’s initiatives for financial inclusion and informed participants about the status of unclaimed bank deposits in the state. He also explained the utility of the UDGAAM (Udgam) Portal, which enables users to search unclaimed deposits across multiple banks through a single online platform, and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to strengthen financial literacy.

Lokho Peter, Regional Manager, SBI Imphal East Region, explained the procedure for claiming unclaimed deposits and emphasised the importance of maintaining credit discipline and timely loan repayments. He also briefed participants on schemes for street vendors and RSETI training facilities for unemployed youth.

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

District Mission Manager, MSRLM, H. Veisho, spoke on the role of Self-Help Groups in promoting savings habits. DIC General Manager Rita Misao emphasised the importance of Udyam registration and informed participants 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 agriculture-related schemes for farmer entrepreneurs.

During the camp, facilities for on-the-spot submission of claims for unclaimed deposits under DEAF, Re-KYC of bank accounts, enrolment in social security schemes and free online Udyam registration were provided. Utility items were also donated by RBI, Imphal to the five village authorities.