Prelims: Current events of national and national importance

Why in News?

The Ex-Servicemen’s Grievance Cell states that nearly half of all military pensioners are unable to use the SPARSH portal.

• SPARSH - The System for Pension Administration Raksha is an initiative that aims to provide a comprehensive web-based interactive solution to the administration of pensions to the defence pensioners.
  • It is in line with the vision of the government of India of Digital India, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and “Minimal Government, Maximum Governance”.
  • It covers the armed forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defence Civilians.
  • It will initially cater to the new retirees on roll out and subsequently be extended to cover the existing defence pensioners.
• Launched by - Ministry of defence, in the year 2017.
• Administered by - Defence Accounts Department through the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj.
• Vision - Right pension at the right time.
• Features
• Pension cycle - It caters for all service activities, namely:
  • Initiation and Sanction
  • Disbursement
  • Revision
  • Service and Grievance Request Management.
• Distinct portals - It consists of two portals, one for the pensioner (SPARSH portal) and the other for pension processing (SPARSH Back Office Portal).
• Automatic registration - A person whose pension is due is onboarded on the portal at the time of processing of his pension claim.
• Unique ID generation - The Pensioner is allotted a unique account number once his digitised, audited pension claim is ready for forwarding to PCDA(Pensions) for issue of Pension Payment Order.
• Credential alert - The Pensioner is informed of this account number on the mobile number/email address furnished by him at the time of furnishing his pension claim, which he can use to onboard on this portal.
• Mobile App - The pensioner will be notified of events through his registered mobile/email address.
• SPARSH Seva Kendras
  • These are points of contact for the pensioners to avail the services that are available through the portal.
  • These centres will provide an interface and assistance to the Pensioner in the event of non-availability of portal access.

References

1. The Indian Express| Concern on SPARSH Portal
2. Project SPARSH