CRCS-Sahara Refund: Check portal link, how to start the refund claim process

In a bid to return the money of more than 10 crore depositors of Sahara Group, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, July 18, launched the 'CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal'. While launching the portal, Amit Shah assured that the depositors would get their refund within 45 days of registering themselves online.

"The process of returning the money of depositors, which was stuck in four cooperative societies of Sahara Group, has started with the launch of the Sahara Refund Portal," said Amit Shah.

Hon’ble Union Home & Cooperation Minister, Shri @AmitShah, Inaugurated the CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal Today, in New Delhi. The Disbursement Process for Genuine Depositors of Sahara Group of Cooperative Societies will start now.#EmpoweringCooperatives #SahakarSeSamriddhi

— Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India (@MinOfCooperatn) July 18, 2023

The Ministry of Cooperation had filed an application in the Supreme Court to address the grievances of legitimate depositors of the Sahara Group of Cooperation Societies for the refund of their deposits. The Supreme Court had directed in March 2023 that Rs 5,000 crore should be transferred from the Sahara-Sebi refund account to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS).

In the first phase of refund, at least nearly 1.7 crore depositors will get their refund from Rs 5,000 crore, and once the amount is fully utilised, the Centre will once again approach the apex court to further release more money to settle the total refund of other depositors. Amit Shah also highlighted that in the first phase of this refund, depositors would get up to Rs 10,000, and subsequently, the amount would be increased for those who are eligible for higher amounts.

CRCS-Sahara refund: How to claim refund on the portal?

The CRCS-Sahara refund portal can be accessed through the official website of the Ministry of Cooperation- https://cooperation.gov.in/crcs.

1. In order to raise the refund claim, the depositor's Aadhaar card should be linked to their mobile number and bank accounts. The member or depositor will also be required to provide receipt details.

2. The depositors will have to download a form from the portal. After filling up the form with relevant details it needs to be uploaded to the portal for processing of the refund.

3. Also, depositors can take help from the Common Service Centre for online registration on the portal for refunds.