A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT FOR DEFENCE PENSIONERS: HOW ONE OFFICER’S 300-DAY STRUGGLE LED TO A NATIONAL AUDIT OF SPARSH

Indian Military Veterans

A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT FOR DEFENCE PENSIONERS: HOW ONE OFFICER’S 300-DAY STRUGGLE LED TO A NATIONAL AUDIT OF SPARSH

In the fiscal year 2020–21, the Government of India launched SPARSH (System for Pension Administration – Raksha) to oversee Defence pensions via a unified digital platform. The concept was straightforward and promising: a paperless, transparent system enabling pensioners to view their PPO, monitor grievances, and receive pensions directly in their bank accounts without intermediaries.

In theory, SPARSH appeared to be a substantial reform. However, following its implementation, the actual experience proved to be markedly different for millions of pensioners.

India is home to approximately 32 lakh Defence pensioners, many of whom rely solely on their pensions for their livelihood. For elderly veterans, disabled soldiers, and family pensioners, even a minor error in pension can lead to significant hardship. Regrettably, SPARSH resulted in precisely such complications.

The Challenges Encountered by Pensioners Post-SPARSH Migration

After the transition to SPARSH, numerous pensioners nationwide reported severe issues:

Incorrect Data Migration: A multitude of records displayed erroneous dates of birth, incorrect ranks, missing service details, inaccurate disability percentages, absent family pension information, and even incorrect names.

Abrupt Implementation Without Adequate Checks: The majority of pensioners were migrated without their consent or prior verification. Previously established safety checks by banks vanished overnight.

Increased Burden on Elderly Pensioners: Senior citizens were required to self-verify online, upload documents, submit digital grievances, and follow up with Record Offices—tasks that were unfeasible for many rural or non-tech-savvy veterans.

Incorrect Pension Amounts: Instances of reduced pensions, cessation of disability pensions, recovery notices, erroneous restoration of commutation, and discrepancies in OROP became prevalent.

Ineffective Grievance Mechanism: Grievances remained unresolved for extended periods, sometimes months or years. Responses, when provided, were frequently generic replies lacking genuine solutions.

For numerous veterans, this situation transcended being merely an “IT issue” and evolved into a humanitarian crisis.

One Officer Steps Forward for 32 Lakh Veterans

Seeing this distress, Lt Col R K Bhardwaj (Retd), a veteran of the Indian Army Corps of Signals from Dehradun, chose to advocate—not for his own benefit, but for all Defence pensioners.

What distinguished his advocacy was that it was:

Non-political

Non-profit

Peaceful and lawful

Entirely grounded in facts and data

The #SPARSH FailsVeterans Campaign

Lt Col Bhardwaj initiated the #SPARSHFailsVeterans campaign on X (Twitter). What started as daily updates showcasing genuine pension issues rapidly evolved into a nationwide movement.

For almost 300 consecutive days, he:

Posted authentic, documented cases

Shared RTI responses

Cited official government statistics

Tagged constitutional authorities

Amplified the voices of suffering veterans

Upheld dignity, discipline, and precision

This unwavering commitment transformed individual grievances into compelling national evidence.

RTIs, Petitions, and Constitutional Action

The campaign extended beyond social media.

RTI Applications

RTIs uncovered alarming deficiencies, including:

No adequate audits prior to rollout

Absence of risk assessments

Ineffective grievance mechanisms

Significant data integrity issues

Public Petition

A formal petition garnered 5,152 verified signatures from veterans and family pensioners, demonstrating the widespread nature of the issue.

Representations to Authorities

Thoroughly documented submissions were directed to:

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Other oversight entities

Each representation was substantiated with evidence, dates, and official responses.

Historic Moment: CAG Orders Suo Moto Audit of SPARSH

On 11 December 2025, a significant milestone was achieved.

The CAG of India, under Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, officially mandated a suo moto Efficiency-cum-Performance Audit of CGDA / PCDA (Pensions), Prayagraj, specifically concentrating on SPARSH during the Audit Cycle 2026–27.

This occurrence is exceedingly rare. It signifies that the audit was initiated without awaiting government consent, solely based on citizen advocacy.

The audit will scrutinize:

• Wrong data migration
• Hasty implementation
• Burden placed on pensioners
• Errors in pension data
• Failure of grievance redressal

For the first time, SPARSH will face constitutional scrutiny.

reply from CAG

NHRC Recognises the Human Rights Angle

On 15 December 2025, the NHRC diarised the petition (Diary No. 149236/CR/2025).

HUMBLE PETITION FOR SUO MOTO COGNIZANCE AND INTERVENTION REGARDING SYSTEMIC FAILURES OF THE SPARSH PENSION SYSTEM AFFECTING EX-SERVICEMEN PENSIONERS Download

This clearly recognises that:

• Pension problems affect livelihood and dignity
• Elderly and disabled pensioners are vulnerable citizens
• Administrative failures can become human rights violations
• HUMBLE PETITION FOR SUO MOTO COGNIZANCE AND INTERVENTION REGARDING SYSTEMIC FAILURES OF THE SPARSH PENSION SYSTEM AFFECTING EX-SERVICEMEN PENSIONERS Download

  This clearly recognises that:

  • Pension problems affect livelihood and dignity
  • Elderly and disabled pensioners are vulnerable citizens
  • Administrative failures can become human rights violations

  

  Why This Audit Is Important for Every Veteran

  This is not just symbolic. It can bring real change:

  • Responsibility will be fixed on departments, not pensioners
  • System-level corrections will be enforced
  • Wrong recoveries and errors can be reviewed
  • Future retirees and Agniveers will benefit
  • Trust in institutions will be restored

  A Collective Victory of the Veteran Community

  Lt Col Bhardwaj himself credited this success to:

  • God’s grace
  • Support of Ex-Servicemen
  • The united voice of veterans

  This was not one man’s victory—it was a collective triumph of discipline, patience, and unity.

  Conclusion: Democracy Worked—Because Veterans Did Not Give Up

  This struggle proves that:

  • Peaceful persistence works
  • RTI is a powerful tool
  • Responsible social media can strengthen democracy
  • Veterans still matter to the nation

  The SPARSH problem is not over—but for the first time, it will be examined under the lens of audit and human rights.

  

  Who Is Lt Colonel RK Bhardwaj (Retd)?

  Lt Colonel RK Bhardwaj (Retd) was born and educated in Chandigarh, where he completed his school and college studies. He joined the Indian Army through the SS-16 entry and was commissioned from the Officers Training School (OTS), Madras, on 11 November 1973.

  Being an Inter Science graduate, he was allotted the prestigious Corps of Signals, one of the Army’s most technically demanding arms. During his service, he served in several important units and formations including 9 IDSR, 4 Corps Signal Regiment, 25 WEU, SODE-46, NCSR, 474 Engineer Brigade Signals, 5 MDSR, Dehradun Sub Area Signals, HQ 11 Corps (Signals), 16 CASSU, and again Dehradun Sub Area Signals.

  Due to family responsibilities, he took premature retirement on 24 April 2003. After retirement, instead of limiting himself to personal life, he has remained actively engaged with issues affecting Ex-Servicemen pensioners and regularly raises these matters with the Government through public platforms, including social media.

  He firmly believes that whatever he is able to do is not for personal or family gain, but is possible only through the blessings of Almighty God and sincere effort. He remains open and approachable, and welcomes personnel from all three Services to contact him if he can be of any help. He considers it an honour to support fellow veterans whenever possible.

  Contact (as shared):
   9219603039
   rkbhardwaj52@gmail.com