Page 13 - Banking Finance November 2025

ROUNDUP

Speaking at an industry event, Sanoj with Quick Response (QR) codes along Sitharaman has launched a three-
Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary in the National Highway stretches to en- month nationwide awareness cam-
ministry, said the government has re- hance commuter convenience and paign, Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar
ceived strong interest from the private safety. (Your Money, Your Right), from
sector in coal gasification projects. He According to a statement issued on Gandhinagar to help citizens reclaim
highlighted existing joint ventures such October 3, 2025, the vertical QR code unclaimed financial assets worth Rs.
as Coal India-Bharat Heavy Electricals boards will provide project-specific in- 1.84 lakh crore lying with banks, insur-
and Coal India-Gas Authority of India formation such as the National High- ance firms, mutual funds, and regula-
as examples of growing collaboration way number, chainage, and contact tors.
in the sector. details of highway patrol, toll manag- "This is your money. It is lying safe with
Additional Secretary Rupinder Brar ers, resident engineers, and the emer- the government as custodian. You
added that the ministry is finalising a gency helpline 1033. The signboards come when you want with the re-
structured framework for allocating will be placed at key locations includ- quired papers, and it will be handed
coal blocks specifically for gasification ing wayside amenities, rest areas, toll over to you," Sitharaman said during
purposes. The initiative aims to boost plazas, truck lay-byes, and at the start the launch. According to the Depart-
cleaner energy production, reduce and end points of highways. ment of Financial Services, over Rs.
dependence on imported natural gas, NHAI said the initiative will improve 75,000 crore in unclaimed bank depos-
and create opportunities for domestic road safety through quicker access to its have been transferred to the RBI,
industries to participate in India's tran- emergency services and enhance user while the insurance sector holds more
sition toward low-carbon energy alter- experience by providing easy access to than Rs. 14,000 crore.
natives. local information and project details, The mutual fund industry has around
thereby increasing transparency and Rs. 3,000 crore unclaimed, and about
NHAI to install QR code public engagement. 172 crore shares worth nearly Rs.
signboards across National 19,000 crore remain to be claimed.
Rs. 1.84 lakh crore in un- Officials said Rs. 450 crore worth of
Highways
claimed financial assets to claims were settled in the past month
The National Highways Authority of alone.
India (NHAI) has announced plans to be returned to citizens
install project information signboards Union Finance Minister Nirmala
Government unveils draft
labour policy for AI-en-
Brij Bhushan Agarwal appointed president of Indian

Chamber of Commerce abled workforce
The Ministry of Labour and Employ-
Brij Bhushan Agarwal has been appointed as the new president of the In-
ment has released Shram Shakti Niti
dian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) at its 97th Annual General Meeting. In
his address, Agarwal outlined his vision to strengthen India's industrial and 2025, a draft national labour policy
economic growth through collaboration, innovation, and human capital de- designed to transform the ministry's
velopment. role from regulator to "employment
facilitator." The new framework fo-
"As President, I am committed to fostering collaboration, leveraging tech- cuses on harnessing artificial intelli-
nological advancements, and strengthening human capital to create sus- gence (AI), digital platforms, and uni-
tainable growth opportunities," he said. "Our goal is to ensure that Indian versal social security to create a trans-
businesses are equipped to adapt, thrive, and compete on a global scale, parent and future-ready workforce.
while continuing to drive progress and contribute meaningfully to the
nation's industrial and economic development." The policy envisions a worker-centric,
technology-driven approach that inte-
Industry leaders welcomed his appointment, noting that his focus on tech- grates AI-based job matching, digital
nology and sustainability aligns with the Chamber's mission to support India's compliance, and formalisation of em-
transition toward inclusive, future-ready business ecosystems. ployment in unorganised sectors. It

12 | 2025 | NOVEMBER | BANKING FINANCE