Indian Army Launches Project NAMAN: SPARSH-Enabled Service Centres Nationwide [Current Affairs]

The Indian Army has launched the first phase of Project NAMAN, aimed at providing dedicated support and services to Defence pensioners, veterans, and their families. The project, inaugurated by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and the President of the Army Wives Welfare Association, Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, is a significant step toward enhancing the care and support for the Defence community.

Project Overview and Goals

Project NAMAN is centered around the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha) digital pension system, designed to streamline pension-related processes for Defence Pensioners. The initiative addresses the need for accessible facilitation points for veterans and their Next of Kin (NOK) across the country, with the goal of expanding these services nationwide.

Establishment of Common Service Centres (CSCs)

In its first phase, 14 Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been established at key locations across India, including New Delhi, Jalandhar, Leh, Dehradun, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Bengdubi, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Secunderabad, Saugor, Guntur, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore. These CSCs, dedicated to Army Veterans, Pensioners, War Widows, and NOKs, offer SPARSH-enabled pension services, Government to Citizen (G2C) services, and Business to Consumer (B2C) services in one location.

Memorandum of Understanding and Infrastructure

The project is enabled by a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Army’s Directorate of Indian Army Veterans, Common Service Centre (CSC) e-Governance India Limited, and HDFC Bank Limited, signed in September 2023. HDFC Bank has provided the necessary IT infrastructure, while local military stations have contributed essential physical infrastructure and facilities.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Support

Each CSC is managed by a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE), selected from among the veterans or NOKs by the respective Local Military Authorities (LMAs). These VLEs receive training from CSC e-Governance India Limited and are supported by HDFC Bank with a monthly grant of ₹ 20,000 for the first 12 months to stabilize and sustain the centres.

Future Expansion and Impact

Project NAMAN is set to expand significantly, with plans to establish approximately 200 centres nationwide over the next 2-3 years. This initiative not only provides essential services to veterans but also extends to the entire resident population of military stations and surrounding localities. It stands as a testament to the Indian Army’s commitment to the welfare of its veterans and their families, fostering camaraderie among serving and retired Armed Forces personnel.