Odisha govt extends refund deadline for small chit fund victims; claims open till January 31, 2026

The Odisha government has intensified efforts to refund money to small chit fund depositors who have yet to receive their dues, urging eligible claimants to complete the reimbursement process before the extended deadline of January 31, 2026.

In an official notification issued on Monday, the Finance Department said the refund mechanism remains open for small investors whose claims have been recommended by the Chit Fund Investigation Commission but who have not received repayment so far.

The department has appealed to all eligible depositors to complete the necessary formalities within the stipulated timeframe to ensure the timely disbursal of their pending refunds.

Who Is Eligible

According to the notification, small depositors who had invested up to Rs 10,000 in chit fund companies and whose claims have already been verified and recommended by the Commission are eligible under the current phase of refunds.

In addition, depositors of Golden Land Developers who had invested up to Rs 8,000 and were not covered during the first phase of repayment will also be included in this round. The Finance Department clarified that this extension is intended to cover genuine small investors who were left out earlier despite being eligible.

Refund Process and Timeline

Eligible depositors have been asked to approach their respective Revenue Inspectors (RIs) with the necessary documents to initiate the refund process. Officials said that once the required papers are submitted and verified, the refund amount will be credited within 15 days.

The department has emphasised that claimants must ensure their documentation is complete to avoid delays in processing. The reimbursement is being carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the investigation commission constituted to probe chit fund irregularities in the state.

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Helpline for Assistance

For additional information or clarification regarding eligibility and documentation, depositors can contact the government-issued helpline number 0674-2395153, the notification said.

It is worth noting that the chit fund crisis had affected lakhs of small investors across Odisha, prompting the state to set up a dedicated investigation commission and a structured refund mechanism. The current extension is part of the government’s ongoing effort to clear pending claims involving small depositors within defined financial limits.