WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Finance has announced the implementation of the SNA-SPARSH platform in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, starting April 1, 2025.
This innovative system, designed to streamline the release of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), will initially include 28 schemes. It ensures “Just-in-Time” fund transfers for improved governance.
SNA-SPARSH is a comprehensive fund transfer mechanism that integrates the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), State Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), and Reserve Bank of India’s e-Kuber platform. This system ensures that funds from the central government are directly transferred to state-linked accounts in real-time, bypassing unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
The initiative follows the Ministry’s notification under O.M. No.1(27)/PFMS/2020, issued on July 13, 2023, with a focus on “Just-in-Time” releases. Initially piloted in states like Rajasthan, Odisha, and Karnataka, the model is now expanding to Jammu & Kashmir and other regions.
According to a communication from the Department of Expenditure (PFMS Division), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for onboarding these schemes onto the SNA-SPARSH platform have been shared with administrative departments in J&K.
A circular in this regard has been issued by Finance Department which reads, “This is in reference to the communication cited above, wherein, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure (PFMS Division), Government of India, has informed that the SNA/SPARSH platform shall be implemented in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir effective from 01.04.2025. It has also been conveyed that 28 schemes (list attached) have been notified for on boarding onto the SNA/SPARSH platform from the said date”
In view of the above, the undersigned is directed to share the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) received from the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure (PFMS Division), Government of India, for onboarding of schemes onto the SNA/SPARSH platform.
It is also requested that all administrative departments notify nodal officers to oversee the implementation of the SNA/SPARSH platform and coordinate with the concerned ministries of the Government of India to ensure the notification of schemes to be onboarded onto the SPARSH platform in Jammu & Kashmir, effective from 01.04.2025.
Further, to facilitate the process, the departments handling the 28 notified (list attached) schemes are requested to initiate the process of opening scheme-specific accounts with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Jammu branch with prior concurrence from the Finance Department.
