Change in SPARSH Service Centers functioning at DPDOs- CGDA OM Dt. 20.5.2024

It is intimated that with the migration of pensioners borne on the strength of Defence Pension Disbursement Offices (DPDOs) to SPARSH module, the role of DPDOs is now restricted to SPARSH Service Centers (SSCs) for providing various services to pensioners and to address their grievance

SPARSH Service Centers (SSCs) for providing various services to pensioners

Controller General of Defence Accounts
Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt- 110010

No. ANIII/3019/SPARSH

Dated 20/05/2024

To,
All PCsDA/CsDA
(Through CGDA Website)

Sub:- Restructuring of SPARSH Service Centers (SSCs) functioning at DPDOs- Change in Administrative and Functional Control.

Superseding the HQrs previous letters No. PENS-570203/3/2023/PCDA/CDA dated 11.01.2024, PENS-570203/3/2023/RTC dated 11.01.2024 and PENS-570203/4/2023 dated 31.01.2024, it is intimated that with the migration of pensioners borne on the strength of Defence Pension Disbursement Offices (DPDOs) to SPARSH module, the role of DPDOs is now restricted to SPARSH Service Centers (SSCs) for providing various services to pensioners and to address their grievances.

2. After due review, the undersigned is directed to convey the approval of the Competent Authority regarding restructuring of the administrative and functional control of 64 SPARSH Service Centers functioning at various DPDOs under CDA(PD) Meerut (51 Nos.) and CDA Chennai (13 Nos.) along with the following directions-

1. The Defence Pension Disbursement Offices (DPDOs) are henceforth re-designated as SPARSH Service Centers (SSCs).
2. The administrative and functional control of each SSC are transferred under the jurisdiction of the nearest Pr. Controller/ Controller as appended in Annexure ‘A’ (available on CGDA WAN). PCsDA/CsDA will open a dedicated Pension Coordination Cell under its Administrative Wing to supervise the functional control of SSCs under them. Regular reporting mechanism, periodic inspection may be evolved to effectively monitor the activities of the SSCs.
3. The physical and soft record held with the DPDOs will continue to be maintained under the respective SSCs and not to be transferred to any other office till further orders.
4. The authorized strength of manpower at each SSCs is to be one SAO/AAO with a maximum of two Auditors /Sr. Auditors.
5. Payment of pension in respect of 11,085 pensioners who are still being paid by DPDOs and not yet migrated to SPARSH, will be centrally entrusted to ‘Aashraya Team’ at CENTRAD, Delhi.
6. The new arrangement is to be made operational by 1st June, 2024.
7. In this regard, necessary Part-I Office Order will be published by respective PCsDA/CsDA and a copy of the same shall be endorsed/forwarded to AN-III and AT-V Pension wing (projectcpp.dad[at]hub.nic.in) of this HQrs office.

3. This restructuring is expected to streamline operations and enhance the service delivery. Compliance with the above directives is essential for the effective implementation of these changes,

Encl: As above (Annexure A)

(Sushil Riyar)
Sr. ACGDA (AN)

Copy To:-

1. IT & S Wing (Local) – With a request to upload this circular along with Annexure ‘A’ on CGDA’s WAN and circular on CGDA Website.
2. Pension Wing (Local) – For information and necessary action, please.
3. All wings of HQrs Office (Local) – For information and necessary action, please.
4. ANII, IX & X (Local) – For information and necessary action to carry out Staff & Officers rotation on priority with reference to these orders.

View the Order pdf