Posted On:
29 OCT 2026 5:59PM by PIB Bengaluru
A mega launch event marking the commencement of the Financial Inclusion (FI) Saturation Campaign in Karnataka, for the Ajwara Gram Panchayat of Chikkaballapura district, was organised at Chikkaballapur on 28 October 2026 under the aegis of SLBC Karnataka.
The event was graced by Sri Bhavendra Kumar, Executive Director, Canara Bank; Dr. Surendra Babu, Chief General Manager, NABARD; Smt. Meenakshi Gunju, General Manager, RBI ; Smt. Nirmala, Chief Planning Officer, Chikkaballapur; Sri Sunil Kumar Yadav, Chief General Manager, Canara Bank; Sri Arun Kumar Mishra, Chief General Manager, Canara Bank; and Sri Shreenath Joshi, Convenor, SLBC Karnataka, along with Sri Arun Kumar, Lead District Manager (LDM), Chikkaballapur, and senior executives from SBI, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Karnataka Gramin Bank. The programme witnessed the participation of around 500 customers and beneficiaries from the local Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Chikkaballapur.
The campaign, launched by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Government of India, is being conducted across the country from 21 October to 31 December 2026, with the objective of achieving saturation in key financial inclusion schemes and extending the benefits of formal banking and financial services to every eligible individual.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Bhavendra Kumar, Executive Director, Canara Bank, emphasised the importance of enrolling in social security schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY). He urged eligible citizens to avail themselves of these schemes to secure their families against financial hardship arising from the untimely demise of the breadwinner, accidents and the uncertainties of old age.
He also highlighted the importance of periodic Re-KYC (Know Your Customer), awareness of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and the process of reclaiming unclaimed bank deposits and other financial assets. He encouraged the public to make full use of the campaign to access the benefits of various government-sponsored financial inclusion initiatives.
Smt. Meenakshi Gunju, General Manager, RBI, stressed the importance of completing Re-KYC formalities to ensure uninterrupted banking services. She also cautioned the public against cyber frauds, digital arrest scams and other forms of online financial crime, urging customers to remain vigilant while using digital banking facilities.
Dr. Surendra Babu, CGM, NABARD, encouraged the participants to make the best use of the facilities available at the financial inclusion camps being organised across the state and to approach banking officials for guidance on accessing suitable financial products and government schemes.
Sri Shreenath Joshi, Convenor, SLBC Karnataka, briefly presented the key features of the various financial inclusion schemes covered under the campaign. He urged eligible beneficiaries to enrol in the schemes and take advantage of the banking and financial services available through participating banks and their field-level functionaries.
As part of the awareness programme, educational videos on cyber frauds, digital arrest scams, Re-KYC and the recovery of unclaimed financial assets were screened for the audience. The videos were aimed at improving financial literacy, promoting safe banking practices and familiarising participants with the services being provided through the camps.
“As part of the event, insurance claim proceeds under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) were handed over to the nominees of the deceased insured persons. The initiative highlighted the significance of social security insurance schemes in providing timely financial support to bereaved families and helping them cope with the financial hardships arising from the loss of their loved ones.”
Dedicated stalls were set up by Canara Bank, State Bank of India and Karnataka Gramin Bank. Business Correspondents (BCs) and Financial Literacy Centre (FLC) representatives assisted visitors with enrolment in various schemes, explained banking facilities and provided guidance on accessing financial services.
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