Project NAMAN is strategically designed to offer dedicated services to the veteran community, focusing on the implementation of SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha), a digital pension management system that simplifies and streamlines pension-related processes for Defence Pensioners. The project addresses a critical need for accessible facilitation points for Veterans and their Next of Kin (NOK) across India.
During the launch, General Dwivedi underscored the significance of Project NAMAN in ensuring that veterans and their families receive the care and support they deserve. He highlighted the project’s broader mission of extending these essential services to the entire resident population of military stations and the surrounding communities.
Central to Project NAMAN is the establishment of reception and facilitation centres, made possible through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Army’s Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (Adjutant General’s Branch), CSC e-Governance India Limited, and HDFC Bank Limited. Signed in September 2023, this collaboration has led to the creation of Common Service Centres (CSCs) dedicated to Army Veterans, Pensioners, War Widows, and NOKs. These CSCs provide SPARSH-enabled pension services, Government to Citizen (G2C) services, and Business to Consumer (B2C) services, all under one roof.
The first phase of Project NAMAN has seen the establishment of 14 CSCs at strategic locations across India, including New Delhi, Jalandhar, Leh, Dehradun, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Bengdubi, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Secunderabad, Saugor, Guntur, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore. The project is poised for significant expansion, with plans to open approximately 200 centres nationwide over the next 2-3 years. HDFC Bank has played a crucial role by providing the necessary IT infrastructure to operationalize the CSCs, while local military stations have contributed essential physical infrastructure and facilities.
Project NAMAN is a result of extensive consultations and feedback from the Defence community, reflecting the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to fostering camaraderie and support among serving and retired Armed Forces personnel. This initiative not only delivers essential services to veterans but also extends benefits to the entire population residing in and around military stations.
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, onboarded by CSC e-Governance India Limited, receive comprehensive training to deliver the required services. HDFC Bank further supports the VLEs with a monthly grant of ₹20,000 for the first 12 months, aiding in the stabilization and sustainability of the centres.
Project NAMAN is a testament to the Indian Army’s dedication to the welfare of its veterans and their families. By offering SPARSH-centric facilitation, essential e-Governance services, and banking solutions in a single location, the project also creates entrepreneurial opportunities for Veterans and NOKs, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
