Conclusion of the SPARSH Awareness Programme organised by the Regional Accounts Office and Station Headquarters, Ahmedabad Cantonment on 29–30 December 2025

The Regional Accounts Office (Southern Command), under the Defence Accounts Department of the Government of India, along with Station Headquarters Ahmedabad Cantonment, organised a two-day SPARSH Awareness Programme with the support of the Golden Katar Division. The programme was held successfully on 29 and 30 December 2025 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Auditorium, Ahmedabad Cantonment. Such awareness programmes are important because many defence pensioners still face confusion while using digital pension systems. By holding the event inside the cantonment area, the organisers ensured easy access for elderly pensioners and family members who often find it difficult to travel long distances for official work.

The programme began on 29 December 2025 in the presence of distinguished guests. These included Mrs Alka Nangia Arora, Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts, New Delhi, Brigadier Deepak Kumar Nayak, Sena Medal, Deputy GOC and Station Commander, and Mr Dilip Kumar, Chief Financial Adviser, Headquarters South Western Air Command. Their presence showed the importance given to pension-related issues at senior levels. Defence pensions affect the lives of lakhs of retired soldiers and their families, and senior officers attending such events help build trust and confidence among pensioners.

The event started with a welcome address by Mr S S Sankhala, Additional Controller of Defence Accounts and Officer in Charge of the Regional Accounts Office (Southern Command), Ahmedabad. He informed the audience about the different services and facilities provided during the SPARSH Awareness Programme. These services usually include help with pension statements, life certificate submission, grievance filing and correction of personal details. Many pensioners depend on such camps because they are not always comfortable with online systems or mobile-based services.

The chief guest, Mrs Alka Nangia Arora, Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts, shared her views and suggestions. She guided the participants and congratulated the Regional Accounts Office (Southern Command), Ahmedabad, for organising the SPARSH Awareness Programme. Her guidance focused on the need for clear communication with pensioners and the timely resolution of issues. Senior officials often stress that SPARSH was created to reduce delays and remove middlemen, so direct interaction with pensioners plays a key role in improving the system.

On this occasion, Mr Manivelan K, Additional Controller from the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Southern Command), and Mr Saurabh, Additional Controller from the Office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts, also participated along with their teams. Their teams provided technical and procedural support during the programme. Such teamwork between different defence accounts offices helps ensure that pension cases are handled correctly and without unnecessary delay.

At the end of the programme, Mr D K Bafna, Senior Accounts Officer, gave the vote of thanks. The stage proceedings were conducted by Mr Saurabh Lavania, Assistant Accounts Officer. Proper coordination and clear communication during the programme helped pensioners understand complex matters in simple language. Stage management also ensured that sessions ran on time and that all visitors were attended to properly.

The programme was attended by ex-servicemen, family pensioners, other Army officers, and officers and staff of the Regional Accounts Office (Southern Command). Family pensioners, especially widows and elderly dependents, often face extra difficulties in pension matters. Their participation highlighted the need for human support alongside digital systems. The presence of serving Army officers also helped in addressing service-related queries linked to pension records.

During the two-day programme, pension-related problems of more than 125 defence and family pensioners linked to pension and the SPARSH portal were successfully resolved by the officers and staff of the Regional Accounts Office (Southern Command). Resolving such a large number of cases in a short time reflects the effectiveness of face-to-face interaction. Many pensioners receive relief when their long-pending issues are cleared in one place, without repeated visits to offices.

Overall, the programme showed how awareness camps can bridge the gap between policy and people. While SPARSH is a digital platform, such physical programmes ensure that no pensioner is left behind due to lack of technical knowledge. The successful completion of this event at Ahmedabad Cantonment stands as a positive example of people-friendly governance and dedicated service to those who have served the nation.