Bhubaneswar, Dec 22: The Odisha government has intensified its 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 released on Monday, the Finance Department announced that 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 thus far. The government has appealed to all eligible depositors to ensure they complete the necessary formalities within the stipulated timeframe to guarantee the timely disbursal of their pending refunds.

According to the notification, small depositors who had invested up to Rs. 10,000 in chit fund companies and whose claims have been verified and recommended by the Commission are eligible for the refund under this current phase. 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 meant to benefit legitimate small investors who had been excluded earlier despite being eligible.

To begin the refund process, eligible depositors have been instructed to approach their respective Revenue Inspectors (RIs) with the required documents. Once the necessary papers are submitted and verified, the refund amount will be credited within 15 days.

The department has stressed the importance of ensuring that all documentation is complete to avoid delays in processing. The reimbursement is being carried out in line with the recommendations of the Investigation Commission, which was formed to probe the chit fund irregularities in the state.

For more information or clarifications regarding eligibility and documentation, depositors can contact the government helpline at 0674-2395153.

The chit fund crisis has affected lakhs of small investors across Odisha, leading to the establishment of a dedicated investigation commission and a structured refund mechanism. This latest extension is part of the government’s continued efforts to resolve outstanding claims and provide relief to small depositors.