Migration to system for Pension Administration (RAKSHA) – SPARSH: Guide

Migration to system for Pension Administration (RAKSHA) – SPARSH: Guide

ADJUTANT GENERAL’S BRANCH

GUIDE TO: MIGRATION TO SYSTEM FOR PENSION ADMINISTRATION (RAKSHA) – SPARSH

(NOVEMBER 2022)

PUBLISHED BY

ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE GENERAL
MANPOWER PLANNING

Lt Gen CB Ponnappa, AVSM, VSM

Adjutant General

FOREWORD

1. At the outset, I would like to salute ‘and convey my deep appreciation to all Veterans and Ex-servicemen for their invaluable contribution to the Army and Nation. It has been our concerted effort to reach out to our Veterans and NOK to strengthen bonds with them and keep them fully informed.

2. We are conscious of the various challenges being faced by our Veterans/NOK in processing the documentation for their pensionary entitlements. It is our constant endeavour to streamline the process and employ evolving technology, to increase awareness, transparency and accountability. Towards this end, a pensioners’ portal, i.e. SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha), for automation of sanction and disbursement of Pension has been implemented wef 01 Aug 2021 by CGDA/ MoD.

3. There have been glitches in the system and difficulties in uploading Life Certificates. AGs Branch and fmns have been trying to help out in this context. It gives me immense satisfaction to release this booklet, which is an effort towards updating the Veterans and NOK about SPARSH. It comprehensively covers all relevant details regarding Account Creation, Receipt of User Credentials, Migration Process & Check Status, Pensioners Data Verification (PDV), View & Correction of data by Pensioner on Migration, Submission of Life Certificates, Demise Intimation by NOK, Track Status, Grievance Mechanism, Important Contact Details etc.

4. I am sanguine that this Handbook and compilation would act as a ready reckoner on important issues related to SPARSH. We remain committed to the welfare of our Veterans, Ex-servicemen & NOK and shall continue to extend our support in all aspects.

“JAI HIND”

Place: New Delhi.
Date : 11 Nov 2022

(CB Parindppa)
Lt Gen
Adjutant General

GUIDE TO : MIGRATION TO SYSTEM FOR PENSION ADMINISTRATION (RAKSHA)-SPARSH

CONTENTS

GUIDE TO : MIGRATION TO SPARSH

1. Introduction. SPARSH is the acronym used for “System for Pension Administration – Raksha” and is an integrated system for automation of sanction and disbursement of Defence Pension. This Pensioner Portal provides a single window for the Pensioners to avail Pension related services such as facility to view their Pension details, Pension entitlement, Pensioner profile details, Income Tax forms etc. It is also an online facility for grievance redressal and correction of any data/ details of Pensioners. Its salient features are as follows:-

(a) Aim is to ensure payment of Right Pension at the Right Time.

(b) Reduced errors and processing time due to data capture at source and automation of process.

(c) Introduction of Pensioners Data Verification (PDV) to ensure transparency and pensioner satisfaction.

(d) Centralized revision and disbursement leading to high timelines andaccuracy.

(e) Centralised grievance portal for improved management of customer grievances raised via multiple channels.

(f) Integration with external agencies for validation of data with respect to Bank Account, Aadhaar No, PAN etc.

2. Benefits/Advantages of SPARSH.

(a) Single point contact i.e. PCDA (P), Prayagraj for all pension and data related queries.

(b) No role of any DPDO/Bank & CPPC etc as the pension will be directly credited into pensioner’s account by PCDA (P) Prayagraj through SPARSH & eKuber package of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

(c) Pensioner will have the facility of login to access following services:-

(i) View & update profile.

(ii) Raise any kind of request post login like change/update of Mobile No, Email, Address & Bank details which would be straight way updated.

(iii) Raise request for amendment of name or Date of Birth (DOB) of family members duly uploading necessary supporting documents which would be visible to the dealing staff of concerned Record Office for JCOs & OR and ORO (MP-5B) for officers for vetting and approval. The updated data/details would be found reflected in SPARSH system post final approval of PCDA(P) through corrigendum PPO, the same would be available for download in my documents post login.

(iv) Queries/Requests related to pension anomalies.

(v) Interactive grievance management as per designed modules/subjects therein.

(vi) View/Download monthly pension details/pension slip.

(vii) Income tax forms including Investment declarations to save the tax.

(viii) Track Status.

(ix) Information about Re-employment.

3. Differences Between Erstwhile Legacy System & SPARSH.

4. Who is Being Migrated. All legacy Pensioners are being migrated to SPARSH in a phased manner. 15,19,537 Army pensioners have already been migrated in two phases and remaining in progress. It is being ensured that only pensioners with purified data are migrated to SPARSH with the minimum turbulence/inconvenience to the pensioners.

5. What Does it Imply? Physically your Pension account remains in the same Bank and Branch but the processing and disbursement of Pension which was being done by the Bank’s CPPC gets shifted to PCDA (Pensions), Prayagraj. Bank branch will only act as a face for operating of the pension account.

Migration Process and Steps Involved

6. Transition Methodology. CGDA through PCDA(P) is exercising due diligence in migration of pensioners from banks to SPARSH. Prior to shifting on SPARSH, data mapping is undertaken by PCDA (P) in consultation with bank where the individual is drawing the Pension and compared with the data held with PCDA(P) and only after correct mapping of mandatory fields, cases are migrated. If even after this diligent process, Pension gets stopped/reduced, the Pensioner needs to follow the following steps:-

(a) SPARSH Service Centre. Pensioner can visit nearest SPARSH Service Centre (SBI, PNB & Kotak Mahindra Bank) as mentioned under service locator tab in the https://sparsh.defencepension.gov.in website.

(b) SPARSH Helpline/Toll-Free Numbers. 18001805325, 05322421877, 05322421879, 05322421880 & email [email protected] can be contacted on Working days (Monday – Friday) between 0930 – 1800h.

(c) Common Service Centre (CSC). An MoU has been signed by CGDA with Common Service Centre e-Governance Services India Ltd with the aim to provide last mile connectivity to Pensioners especially those who reside in remote areas of the country. CSC has about 4.5 Lakh operational outlets and the applicant/beneficiary can visit any nearby CSC to enquire/ avail pension related services. Payment of services provided by the CSCs will be made directly by CGDA to CSCs as per rates fixed through MoU and the pensioner does not need to pay for it.

7. The Process and Steps Involved for Migration into SPARSH. Some important aspects to address varying contingencies are enumerated in the succeeding paragraphs. The process commences as follows:-

(a) When your pension is transferred from the Bank to SPARSH, you will get an SMS giving your Username and Password for SPARSH Login.

(b) Ensure you save this information and use it for accessing/login the SPARSH Portal.

(c) All other relevant details on new system are available on SPARSH portal https://sparsh.defencepension.gov.in/.

8. It is recommended that the FAQ section available on https://sparsh.defence pension.gov.in/ be read and understood by you, as it will help to clarify any doubts that you may have. Following tutorial videos have been uploaded by PCDA(P) on their YouTube channel to assist veterans about SPARSH introduction/ annual identification (Life Certificate)/ to initiate family pension/ to intimate death of pensioner etc. The same may be accessed through https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMjRdkW_ElE1YMwLnpjJeXg.

(a) Services available on SPARSH for Pensioners / family Pensioners.

(b) How to change password on SPARSH.

(c) How to perform PDV on SPARSH.

(d) How to manage profile & perform identification including tracking.

(e) How to view PPO/Corrigendum PPO/LPC/Pension slip etc.

(f) How to lodge grievances on SPARSH (Payment related).

(g) Identification process in SPARSH.

(h) Role of HOO (initiator and verifier) under SPARSH.

(j) How to initiate Family Pension (after disqualification of existing pensioner) on SPARSH.

(k) How to intimate death of Pensioner on SPARSH.

(l) Departmental Admin creation of new users.

(m) Departmental Admin, Editing/Updating of user details.

(n) Departmental admin, swapping of users to posts.

PDF for further reading SPARSH Handbook Final 14 Nov 2022

[https://rodra.gov.in/DOWNLOADS/Uploadnew/SPARSH%20Handbook%20Final%2014%20Nov%202022.pdf]