Defence Ministry issues clarification regarding non-disbursement of pension to defence pensioners for April

Defence Ministry has issued clarification regarding the non-disbursement of pension to defence pensioners for the month of April this year. It said, during the processing of pension for the month of April, it came to light that the annual identification of around three lakh thirty thousand pensioners was not updated. The Ministry said, a list was shared with all Pension Disbursing Banks to share updated identification data. It said, identification status of more than two lakh 65 thousand pensioners was updated on SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Rakshasa) by 25th April, leading to successful processing of pension for all these pensioners.

However, banks could not confirm identification for 58 thousand 275 pensioners and neither was their identification received directly on SPARSH by the time of monthly closing. Hence, these pensioners were not paid their April pension. The Ministry said, in order to avoid such hardship to pensioners, a one-time special waiver has been accorded to these 58 thousand 275 pensioners to get their identification done by 25th of this month.

The Ministry of Defence, including the Defence Accounts Department, is undergoing a major transformation with an aim to bring transparency and efficiency in various processes and procedures.