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Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 25: About Rs 140 crore is lying in inactive bank accounts with no transactions for over 10 years across various banks in Dakshina Kannada district, and banks should create awareness to ensure that the concerned customers reclaim their money, said Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta.

He was speaking while presiding over the District Level Review Committee (DLRC) meeting of banks held on Wednesday at the Netravati Hall of the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat.

MP Chowta said that across banks in the country, deposits amounting to Rs 78,000 crore are lying in bank accounts that have remained inactive for over 10 years. In Karnataka, the amount stands at Rs 3,400 crore, while Dakshina Kannada district alone accounts for Rs 140 crore. He added that apart from bank deposits, there are also insurance amounts and shares, and appropriate steps should be taken to return all these to the rightful customers.

RBI AGM Arun Kumar P said that Rs 20 crore from previously inactive accounts in Dakshina Kannada district has already been paid to customers. He informed that through the UDGAM portal (udgam.rbi.org.in), customers can trace their inactive accounts using details such as their name, PAN or date of birth.

Expressing dissatisfaction, MP Chowta pointed out that some banks have failed to disburse sanctioned amounts to selected beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. He also sought information on the distribution of Kisan Credit Cards and directed banks to show greater interest in implementing various government schemes.

Providing details, lead bank manager Kavita Shetty said that under the Mudra scheme, loans amounting to Rs 414.26 crore were disbursed across 24,115 accounts from April to September 2025. Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, 20,769 savings accounts were opened. A total of 25,564 people were enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, 52,239 under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, and 16,668 under the Atal Pension Yojana.

Under the PM Svanidhi scheme, financial assistance was sanctioned to a total of 19,434 beneficiaries in the district. As of the end of September, the total business of banks in the district stood at Rs 1,35,696.22 crore. Loans amounting to Rs 26,096.15 crore were disbursed under priority and non-priority sectors, achieving 80.90 per cent of the quarterly target, she said.

Canara Bank DGM Shailendranath and NABARD DDM Sangeeta S Kartha were present at the meeting.