The Ministry of Defence (MoD) headed by Union Minister Rajnath Singh implemented SPARSH, an acronym for System for Pension Administration (Raksha), for automation of sanction and disbursement of defence pension.
- This web-based integrated system will remove the need of an external intermediary and directly processes pension claims and credits pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners.
Agreement inked between MoD, SBI & PNB:
As a part of SPARSH, service centres will also be set up for the pensioners who are unable to directly access the SPARSH portal. In this regard, an agreement was signed between MoD, State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) under which both banks will co-opt as service centres.
- Under the agreement, the pensioners can approach various branches of these two banks for obtaining any service relating to their pension issues.
Signatories:
It was signed by Officiating Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) Rajnish Kumar and officials of SBI & PNB, in the presence of Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Sanjiv Mittal in New Delhi.
Recent Related News:
On 3rd June 2021, MoD signed a Rs 323.47 crore worth contract with Mahindra Telephonics Integrated Systems Limited for procurement of 11 Airport Surveillance Radars for the use of Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard.
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister– Raj Nath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister State– Ajay Bhatt (Constituency- Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Uttarakhand)
About Indian Army:
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)– General Manoj Mukund Naravane
Headquarters– New Delhi
