Mangaluru: As part of the nationwide Saturation Campaign of Financial Inclusion (FI) schemes, Canara Bank’s Mangaluru Circle Office organised a Financial Inclusion & Jana Suraksha Campaign at Gurupur Gram Panchayat, Dakshina Kannada, on Tuesday. The event aimed to create awareness on government-backed financial inclusion and social security schemes, while also facilitating direct benefits for local residents.

Senior officials attend programme

The campaign was attended by several dignitaries, including Smt. Sonali Sen Gupta, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Bengaluru; Sri Sudhakar Kotary, General Manager, CPH, Manipal Head Office; Sri Manjunath B Singai, General Manager, Circle Office, Mangaluru; Smt. Latha Kurup, DGM, Regional Office, Mangaluru; along with senior executives of Canara Bank and officials from Gurupur Gram Panchayat.

Nearly 200 residents of the Gram Panchayat participated in the meeting, which was presided over by Smt. Safara, President of Gurupur Panchayat.

Highlights of the campaign

During the session, officials highlighted the benefits of financial inclusion schemes being implemented through banks and emphasised the importance of Re-KYC compliance.

Key initiatives included:

  • Distribution of sanction letters under PMEGP, Education Loans (EL), Self Help Groups (SHG), Stree Shakthi, and MSME loans.

  • Claim settlement under PMJJBY: A death claim cheque of ₹2 lakh was handed over to the nominee of a policyholder under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY).

  • Interactive session with villagers: Attendees actively participated in discussions and raised queries, which were duly noted by bank and government officials.

    • Focus areas of the FI saturation drive

    The campaign is part of a larger drive to ensure equitable access to financial services across rural and semi-urban India. The saturation model focuses on:

    • Penetration of financial inclusion schemes in underserved areas.

  • Spreading awareness on formal financial services.

  • Strengthening enrolments, Re-KYC, and benefit delivery mechanisms.

  • Conducting digital fraud prevention campaigns, addressing unclaimed deposits, and grievance redressal.

  • Ensuring timely claim disbursements under PMJJBY and PMSBY.

  • Encouraging nominee registration for eligible savings bank accounts.

  • Facilitating PMJDY account opening and activation.

  • Expanding enrolments under PMJJBY, PMSBY, and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

    • Empowering rural households

    Officials emphasised that such financial literacy campaigns not only spread awareness but also empower households by linking them to formal credit, insurance, and pension systems. By bridging the gap between rural residents and banking institutions, the programme aims to promote sustainable financial inclusion.

    A step towards inclusive growth

    Addressing the gathering, bank officials reiterated Canara Bank’s commitment to bringing the benefits of government-backed schemes to every household in rural Karnataka. They emphasised that financial literacy and participation in schemes like PMJDY, PMJJBY, PMSBY, and APY will help strengthen the social security net and reduce dependence on informal sources of finance.

    The event concluded with renewed commitment from both government and banking officials to take the Financial Inclusion Saturation Drive to every village and ensure no eligible citizen is left behind.