FAQ

Use the option Salary Matters->Provident Fund(PF)->Change approving authority (temporary Advance)

Select “Amount to be credited to PF” as “yes “while processing multiple month salary through Salary Matters->Processing->Multiple month Salary.

Use the option Service Matters->Change Controlling officer through DDO login.

Use the option Administration-> Create/Modify Users under DDO through DDO login

As per the G.O. (P) No. 71/2022/Fin dated 24/06/2022, if an employee has a part salary, then the MEDISEP deduction should be deducted from the first part salary.

If employee is already encashed salary in revised rate, As per circular 79/2021 fin dated 18/09/2021 provision is available in SPARK for cancel 11th pay fixation. For that you can use the option Salary matters>>> Pay fixation-11th pay revision >>> Cancellation Request (salary processed)

Please ensure that PF type and PF number in Present service details is Blank.

No need to validate leave surrender slip. Leave surrender slip will validate automatically after processing the leave surrender bill.

For updating the office address you are requested to please forward a signed official request letter through email to info@spark.gov.in from the DDO with Department name, District name, Office name (Same as in SPARK) and Office code along with Office address with Post office name, PIN Code and Land phone number. The office code can be taken from the menu ADMINISTRATION – CODE MASTERS – OFFICE though your login. Also please include the PEN of the DDO in your request letter.

Address of the office means Building name, number, Post office name, Street name, Land Mark etc.. and not the office name.

If the festival advance is deducted as excess, then please go through, Salary Matters>>>Processing>>>Other Allowances>>>Sanction Order Details [Select the allowance item as “Refund of Onam Advance (202)]. Then process the bill through, Salary Matters>>>Processing>>>Other Allowances>>>Other Allowance Processing option.

Provision is enabled in SPARK as per circular 57/2022/Fin dated 11/07/2022 .If none of the arrears on account of 10 th Pay revision is processed till date the same could be generated as salary arears in the  10 th Pay Revision Arrears rate.

For marking voluntary retirement, Kindly use the option Service matters>>>Retirements>>>Enter retirement details (select nature of retirement as ‘Voluntary retirement’).

If the leave details of employee are edited/extended after processing previous month salary, then there is a message prompted to process excess pay recovery while processing the salary of subsequent month. In such cases, excess pay bill (even if it is zero bills also) is required to be processed and merged with salary.

The Head of the account will be updated in SPARK only after mapping the same in BAMS and BIMS. After mapping the head, please follow the menu in SPARK, Accounts –> Initialisation –> Head of Account, and then click on the button ‘Get Head wise Allocation From Treasury’.

For processing terminal surrender, AG’s terminal surrender slip effective date and employee’s superannuation/retirement date whichever is lesser in SPARK should be same.

If any mistake in superannuation date , As per Circular no 115/2021/Fin The DDO have the provision to correct superannuation date .For that please use the option Service Matters -> Name/DoB/Superannuation/Service Category Change -> Submit Request & then Service Matters -> Name/DoB/Superannuation/Service Category Change -> Approve Request.

Adding and Modifying privileges can be updated through the DDO login via option Administration>> Create/Modify users from the DDO login. The privileges can be assigned only to state subordinate categories for performing establishment operations.

Employee must  Confirm that the mobile number that has been linked with the AADHAR is in active status and ensure that the SMS Facility is available.

Make sure appropriate AG pay slips/Manually LPC slips is inserted and same is validated.

To overcome such issues, DDO should check if any pending slips are available for the validation and validate those slips through respective DDO login.

DDO may ensure that the  PF type and PF number is blank i.e  ‘Select’ in the Present service detail of the newly joined employee in order to list the employee for GPF new admission application.

The message “USER Cancelled Login Request” is due to the DSC device has been blocked due to multiple incorrect passwords attempts,

DDO may contact the concerned authority ( from where the DSC was issued) to reset the DSC password.

The name in DSC should match either with the name updated in SPARK or with the name as in Aadhaar( updated in SPARK PROFILE). DDO may check it with the name in DSC. If any issue exists, then submit the mentioned documents to SPARK PMU to remove the aadhaar updated in SPARK profile

1. i) a screenshot of the Digital Signature Certificate,
2. ii) DDO request letter and aadhaar document of the concerned employee.

DDO may register the DSC in BIMS and ensure that the DSC has been registered successfully in TREASURY.

Ensure that the DSC has been registered in SPARK i.e via ADMINISTRATION>> NEW REGISTRATION/RENEWAL OF DSC

In such cases DDO may ensure that the :

1. NICD signer tool is in running status
2. DSC TOKEN driver is installed correctly
3. Configuration of browser is done properly (implement thebrowser configurations as per the tutorial in the pdf : for the Windows operating system visit ” https://www.info.spark.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Installation-Instructions-Windows.pdf ”  a) for chrome ( page 12 )  and b) for Firefox  ( page 09 ) .DSC installation procedure)
4. DDO need to ensure that theDSC signer software is updated to the latest version (NICD version 9.9 for windows and NICD version 1.9.8 for Linux) if not, then the same  can be  downloaded  from the mentioned link: https://www.info.spark.gov.in/?page_id=1501.
   For video tutorials visit: https://www.info.spark.gov.in/?aiovg_videos=initialization-of-dsc-in-windows-operating-system
5. DSC is configured correctly , the same can be done via Administration>> new registration/renewal of DSC , then click on the option “Note : If there is any difficulty (make sure that DSC is inserted) in using DSC, click here and set necessary exceptions “

The Bank account of the retired can be corrected using the option Salary Matters>>Processing>>Arrear>>Salary Arrear>>Salary Arrear>> Salary Arrear-Retired Employees>> Edit Present Salary via the DDO login.

DDO can correct the Name, Date of Birth, Superannuation date and service category of the employee through their login using the option Service Matters>>Name/DoB/Superannuation

As per Circular No: 46/2023/fin Dated 20-05-2023, concerned HODs will be the approving authority of the same.

Online appointment provision has been enabled for the DDOs . Through DDO login DDO login>> DDO login >> Administration >>Appointment in SPARK PMU >>Appointment

Request

Click to view  tutorials

DDO need to register in BIMS then in SPARK use the module TAKE CHARGE AS DDO For related tutorial visit the link click to view tutorials

PRAN will be automatically updated in SPARK. See service matters – Personal details – present service details to verify whether PRAN is added. If so, please insert NPS deduction (NPS contribution in the state) in present salary menu. If PRAN is no there, send an e-mail to snokerala.fin@kerala.gov.in with Name, PEN & PRAN for updation.

Go to salary processing menu – refresh – see the message job completed with errors – view errors. Click on view errors to identify the issue.

• Death
• Resignation
• SuperAnnuation
• Termination
• VoluntaryRetirement
• Duplicate/Unused PEN
• Invalid Pension
• Dismissed from Service
• Removed from Service
• Compulsory Retirement as Penalty
• Retirement on Compensation Pension
• Resignation for joining PSUS / Autonomous bodies

If a message is seen as ‘Data Mismatch found “, then the message is due to the service history Entitlement authentication for the mentioned period of service history being pending. So please contact the concerned approving authority for authenticating the service history and then process arrears.

{ Authentication procedure: The verification user of your approving authority can verify employee data of aided institutions through, Service Matters>>Verify proposals (aided) >> Verify entitlement authentication option and forward the verified application [present salary and each service history entry ( from starting every entry of service history)] for approval to the concerned approving authority.
Then the forwarded application needs to be authenticated via the approving authority. After the above-mentioned procedure is completed – authentication is completed.}

It seems that any pending bills to be encashed may be available for the mentioned employee, The bill type/nature and BILL control code will be available to verify the same.

Please check the rejection remarks. Then try to forward application once again with correct details to concern HOD for approval

Please correct the bank account details of temporary employee through, Accounts >>Employees with SPARK ID >> Edit Details option. Then please go through the menu, Account>>Bank Account Correction.

You can process the refund of festival advance through, Salary Matters>>Processing>>Other Allowances>>Sanction Order Details option. Select the allowance item as “Refund of Onam Advance. Then process the bill through, Salary Matters>>Processing>>Other Allowances>>>Other Allowance Processing option

No need to update MEDISEP deduction through DDO login. After processing the salary, the deduction will be updated automatically in present salary

Please make sure that whether aadhaar details are updated in Present service details of  DDO login. If it updated then please register as individual user through ‘Not registered a user yet, register now’ link available in login page of SPARK.  After that try to use Mobile App

Employee can forward the Leave cancellation Application, if the “From Date” of the availed leave is within 45 days from the date of cancellation. Please go through the menu, Service Matters>>Leave Application >>Cancel Leave in individual login. Then the forwarded application can be approved by the DDO through, Service Matters>>Leave/COff/OD processing>>Leave Approval

It is possible to download the deduction statement through Accounts>> Deduction Statement

Please update the Bank details of employee through the menu, Salary Matters>>Changes in the month>>Present salary. Then change the option  Credit salary to bank as ‘Y’ and click Confirm button

The claim bills can be processed through, Accounts>>Claim Entry>>Employees not having PEN option

As per the G.O.(P)No.94/2022/Fin dated 24/08/2022, the Head of the Department(HOD) can update the controlling Office. The Head of the Department can update the controlling office through, Profile/Admin>>Update Immediate Controlling Office option

NPS arrear recovery details can be updated through, Salary Matters >>Changes in the month>>NPS Arrear Recovery option

DDO can change the next increment date through, Salary Matters>>Changes in the month>>Present salary. >> Next increment date option

DDO can change the Scale to PRE PRE REVISED 2009 through a new software module that has been updated in SPARK to update the DA, HRA, and CCA rates of the Employees still prior to 10 PR.

a)Salary Matters –> Employee continuing in scale prior to 10 PR(aided) –> Forward request by DDO

b)Salary Matters –> Employee Continuing in scale prior to 10 PR(aided) –> Approval View employees details

c) for aided the same is needed to be forwarded to the concern approving authority

Service Matters –> Verify proposals (aided) –> Verify employee continuing in scale prior to 10 PR

d)Service Matters –> Approval(for Aided) –> Employee continuing in scale prior to 10 PR

Please make sure that the email ID and mobile number updated in the ‘Reset Password’ window is same as that of SPARK Contact details.  If not please contact your DDO to correct the contact details.

The problem is that some of the bills authorisation may be present in the establishment  login , in such cases DDO can remove the bill authorization through, AdministrationàCreate/Modify users under DDO option.

Remove the tick mark of already selected bills and click the button ‘Add selected privileges to the user’. Then salary can be processed through establishment login.

LPC of retired employees can be generated only upto 3 months from the date of retirement through SPARK.

Loan details can be corrected through, Salary Matters >> Changes in the Month >> Loans >> Loans details

DDO can update the recovery details through,  Salary Matters>>Co-operative Recovery >>Recovery details option.

1. How to change the Basic pay and Service History of Deceased Employee in SPARK?

The Basic pay change and Service History change of the Deceased employee can be done only after the death is marked.

1. To correct the Deceased employee basic pay: – Salary Matters >> Processing >> Arrear >> Salary Arrear >> Salary Arrear –> Retired Employees >> Edit Present salary option.
2. To correct the deceased employee service history: – Salary Matters >> Processing >> Arrear >> Salary Arrear >> Salary Arrear –> Retired Employees >> Edit service history option.

2. How to process Salary of Deceased employee in Spark?

Salary for deceased employee can be processed through:

1. salary matters>> processing>> monthly salary processing (deceased employee)
2. To enter the claim details : Accounts>> claim entry >>nominees (nature of claim as salary of deceased employee)

NB : verify the processed amount displayed in the claim and which can be equally distributed to nominees.

1. Claim approval>>regular/employee with spark id/ nominees ( DDO may do claim approval)
2. Make bill from approved claims
3. E submit the bill
4. How to process multiple month salary of Deceased employee?

Multiple month salary can be processed via :

1. Salary matters>>>> processing>> multiple month salary >> multiple month salary processing-deceased employee
2. Claim entry : Accounts>> claim entry >>nominees(nature of claim as salary of deceased employee)

NB : verify the processed amount displayed in the claim and which can be equally distributed to nominees.

1. Claim approval>>regular/employee with spark id/ nominees
2. Make bill from approved claims
3. E submit the bill
4. How to process Salary Arrear of deceased employee?

Salary arrears can be processed via

1. salary matters>>>> processing>>Arrear>> Salary Arrear>>Salary arrear-retired/deceased employee
2. Claim entry : Accounts>> claim entry >>nominees(nature of claim as salary arrear of deceased employee)

NB : verify the processed amount displayed in the claim and which can be equally distributed to nominees.

1. Claim approval>>regular/employee with spark id/ nominees
2. Make bill from approved claims
3. E submit the bill

N B : If none of the arrears on account of 10th Pay Revision is processed till date, then the same could be generated as salary arrears in 10th Pay Revision Arrears rate. Kindly refer the Circular No. 57/2022/Fin dated 11/07/2022.

5. How to process DA Arrear of deceased employee in spark?
6. salary matters>>>> processing>>Arrear>> DA Arrear >> DA arrear retired/re-employed/deceased employee
7. Claim entry : Accounts>> claim entry >>nominees(nature of claim as DA Arrear of deceased employee)

NB : verify the processed amount displayed in the claim and which can be equally distributed to nominees.

1. Claim approval>>regular/employee with spark id>> nominees
2. Make bill from approved claims
3. E submit the bill
4. How to process 11^th Pay revision Arrear of deceased employee in spark?
5. salary matters>>>> Pay fixation-11^th Pay revision >>Pay revision Arrear>>Pay revision Arrear processing(Deceased)
6. Claim entry : Accounts>> claim entry >>nominees(nature of claim as Pay revision Arrear of deceased employee)

NB : verify the processed amount displayed in the claim and which can be equally distributed to nominees.

1. Claim approval>>regular/employee with spark id>> nominees
2. Make bill from approved claims
3. E submit the bill

7. How to process promotion of deceased employee in spark?

In case of state subordinate:

1. Service matters>> promotion/Grade/Reversion>>Generate promotion order (retired employee)
2. Pay fixation on promotion : Service matters>> promotion/Grade/Reversion>> Pay fixation on promotion (Retired employees)

In case of Gazetted:

For regular promotion: CTC can be forwarded from DDO login to AG

For TBHG/Ratio based promotion: Data can be forwarded from DDO login to AG

8. How to process Terminal surrender of deceased employee in spark?
9. Claim entry>>nominees>> nature of claim as Terminal Surrender of leave
10. Make bill from approved claims
11. E submit the bill
12. Some bills may not be listed in the option “Cancel processed Salary/Arrear”. In such cases, how can we cancel the processed salary/arrear of deceased?
13. Please verify whether the bill is E-Submitted or not

(Accounts>> Bills>>View prepared contingent claims)

NB: If the bill is E-Submitted, it will not be available to cancel anywhere

1. If not E-Submitted, please check whether the bill is in “make bill” status or not?

If so, then the bill will available to cancel in option

Accounts>>Bills>>cancel bills

1. After cancellation, the bill will be available in cancel processed bill

Accounts>>Claim entry>>Nominees (please select the grid and delete the same)

1. Finally, cancel from processed salary

Salary Matters>>Processing>>01.Salary>>Cancel processed salary

2. Arrear>> Cancel processed arrear.
3. How to add Income Tax in the pay revision arrear/salary arrear of deceased employee?

Accounts>>Claim entry>>Nominees (please select the nature of claim as income tax deduction)

11. How to apply PF closure application of deceased employee in Spark?

Salary matters>> Provident Fund(PF)>>GPF closure application

(select option Employees Expired/Retired/VRS/Dismissal/Invalid Pension/Transfer of Balance / Termination/ Resignation/ Dismissed from Service/ Removed from Service/  Compulsory Retirement as Penalty/ Retirement on Compensation Pension/ Resignation for joining PSUS / Autonomous bodies)

12. Types of bills can be prepared using claim entry nominees?

Claim entry>> nominees

• bonus of Deceased employee,
• Deputed employees’ pension contribution,
• FBS benefits,
• Festival allowance of deceased employee
• GIS withdrawal,
• LTC final,
• Medical reimbursement/Medical Advance settlement,
• PF closure/Residual PF
• Refund of excess remittance of HBA
• Refund of excess remittance of Motor Conveyance Advance
• Refund of excess remittance of Personal Computer Advance
• Remuneration Bills of employees of other offices
• TA Final Claim
• Temporary Advance of eased employees
• Terminal Surrender
• Terminal Surrender arrear

13. How to correct the bank account details of nominees of deceased employee in Spark?

Accounts>>Bank accounts correction

14. What action to be taken, when an employee marked death while he/she is alive?

If an Employee Retirement nature is incorrectly marked as “Death”,As per Circular 64/2019 dated 01/07/2019, take up this matter to government through the proper channel. The Circular is available on the Website “info.spark.gov.in”

15. How to process Pay revision arrear of an employee who encashed salary before revamping the module?

Please enter the encashed claim bills, use the manually drawn option through the menu — Salary Matters—>Manually drawn,  for the corresponding months. Then do pay fixation(2019) and also process pay revision arrear(2019) in the deceased employee option.

• How many types of “retirement nature” are available in SPARK software?

There are 12 different types of nature of retirement available in SPARK. They are:

• Death
• Resignation
• Superannuation
• Termination
• Voluntary Retirement
• Duplicate/Unused PEN
• Invalid Pension
• Dismissed from Service
• Removed from Service
• Compulsory Retirement as Penalty
• Retirement on Compensation Pension
• Resignation for joining PSUS / Autonomous bodies

• How to mark the retirement for an employee

The retirement can be marked through:

“Service matters>Retirements>Enter Retirement details” (Either through DDO login or through establishment login)

• How to  do Promotion for  a Retired Employee in SPARK ?

(Non-gazetted) –For non-gazetted employee enter the promotion order details of the employee through the menu,

Service matters>Promotion/Grade/Reversion>Generate promotion order (Retired Employees)

Afterwards, the pay fixation may be done through,

Service matters>Promotion/Grade/Reversion>Pay fixation on promotion (Retired Employees)

The designation will be changed accordingly.

(Gazetted ) – The regular employees CTC work flow condition will be applicable for the retired gazetted employees also.

• For the retired gazetted employee the DDO may submit relieving request through

Service matters>Promotion/Grade/Reversion>Relieving CTC>Submit relieving request (For retired)

• The DDO may forward the same to AG.
• After the approval of relieving request by AG, the employee will be in transit
• Then for the retired gazetted employee the DDO may submit the joining CTC through
• Service matters>Promotion/Grade/Reversion>Joining CTC>Submit joining request(For retired)
• The DDO may forward the same to AG.
• After the approval of joining request by AG, the designation of the retired employee will be updated to new one.

• How to do Promotion of retired employee in Aided sector ?

Promotion order details can be entered via the DDO/ Establishment login:

Service matters>Promotion/Grade/Reversion>Promotion/Demotion(Retired Employees-Aided) .

After entering the details, click “forward for approval” button. Then the approving authority can approve the same after the verification done by the verifier.

• How to forward PF closure application of retired employee ?

The PF closure application can be submitted to the DDO through their login Salary matters>Provident Fund>GPF closure application

DDO may approve the same.

In case if the employee has been superannuated, then mark retirement in SPARK and then the GPF closure application can be submitted by DDO only.

If a DDO is supposed to be retired, concerned controlling officer may approve the GPF closure application.

• How to prepare PF closure bill in SPARK ?

1. Once the PF closure application has been approved by the concerned authority, the same will be forwarded to AG through approving authority using DSC.
2. AG will issue PF closure sanction order accordingly ,Through the menu Accounts>View PF sanction order from AG, the same can be viewed)
3. Then validate the GPF sanction order via menu Accounts>Validate GPF sanction order from AG
4. Then do the claim entry Accounts > Claim entry>Relieved/Retired employee

NB: The period of bill in the claim entry should be the retirement month itself.

1. DDO may do the claim approval
2. AccountsàBillsàMake bill from approved claims, select the nature of claim as PF closure
3. E-Submit the same

In case of aided institutions, the sanction order will be fetched from the GAINPF login and the remaining bill preparation in SPARK will be same as mentioned above.

• How to edit the present salary/Service history of a retired employee ?

To edit the Present salary/Service history of a retired employee, DDO may use the option,

Salary Matters—>Processing—>Arrear—>Salary Arrear—>Salary Arrear-Retired employeesà Edit Present salary / Edit Service history

• How to process the last month salary of retired employee when the Etsb has already  closed ?

After entering retirement details, last month salary of the retired employee can be processed through,

Salary matters>Processing>Salary>Monthly salary processing

If the Etsb has been closed by the employee through treasury, the bank account details of the employee will be fetched to SPARK profile automatically.

• How to process salary arrears for retired employee ?

Salary arrear of retired employee can be processed through the option,

Salary Matters—>Processing—>Arrear—>Salary Arrear—>Salary Arrear Retired employeesà Salary Arrear -Retired

• While processing the last month salary of a retired employee, deductions are seen along with the bill, how to stop the same ?

In order to stop the deductions, DDO may use the module

    Salary Matters—>Processing—>Arrear—>Salary Arrear—>Salary Arrear-Retired employeesà  Edit Present salary

Various deductions may be seen, the same can be stopped accordingly.

• How to sanction the increment of the retired employee ?

Retired employee will not be listed for increment processing. The Basic pay of the employee may be updated accordingly in the present salary through,

Salary Matters—>Processing—>Arrear—>Salary Arrear—>Salary Arrear-Retired employeesà  Edit Present salary

• How to process the terminal surrender of retired employee ?

The terminal surrender of retired employee can be processed through,

Accounts>Claim entry>Regular/Employees with SPARK ID

Select the nature of claim as “Terminal surr of Leave”. In the case of gazetted officers, AG slip will be considered for processing.

• How to process the bills prior to 02/2011 ?
  • Salary bill processing

The salary bill prior to 02/11 for a retired employee can be processed through,

Salary matters>Manual bill preparation(Pre 2/2011)>Claim w.r.t employees having PEN(Retired)

• Salary arrear bill processing

The salary arrear bill prior to 02/11 for a retired employee can be processed through,

Salary matters>Manual bill preparation(Pre 2/2011)>Claim w.r.t employees having PEN(Retired)

NB: If the bill is E-Submitted, it will not be available to cancel anywhere

1. If not E-Submitted, please check whether the bill is in “make bill” status or not?

If so, then the bill will available to cancel in option

Accounts>>Bills>>cancel bills

1. After cancellation, the bill will be available in cancel processed bill

• How to process the tour claim sanctioned for attending court case for a retired employee ?

The tour claim sanctioned for attending court case can be processed through,

Accounts–>Claim entry–>Relieved/retired

where select the nature of claim as “TA Final Claim (Tour)”

• How to prepare the deduction statement of a retired employee ?

The deduction statement of a retired employee can be done through

AccountsàDeduction statement

• How to take the retirement LPC of an employee ?

Retirement LPC of an employee can be taken through

Salary matters–>Other reports–>LPC

• What are the necessary documents needed to revoke a PEN marked retirement?

In general, the retired Employee will be listed in mainly all modules like regular employees, In some cases an authorized request letter by DDO is needed to revoke the PEN . But PEN will be revoked only for genuine cases and additional documents will be demanded based on the need of revoking.

• Is login permission applicable for a retired employee ?

No. login permission is not applicable for a retired employee.

• In which module, the Retired Employees listed in SPARK ?

At present, like regular employees the Retired employee will be listed in the SERVICE MATTERS —-> PERSONEL DETAILS  menu

• AG sanction order for the PF closure has been issued for the employee, but the employee not listed in the claim entry. Why ?

The retirement may not be marked for the employee. (The employee will be listed for claim entry through retired employee module only if the retirement has marked for the employee.)

1) There is no DDO in new office (joining office), the employee himself is the new DDO. How can one join into new office?

– •       The employee must submit joining CTC request through individual login, then join into new office using Service Matters —–>Take Charge of DDO option .Then contact HOD for forwarding Joining CTC to AG.

2)   I joined the new office through the menu ‘Take charge as DDO’ option. The joining CTC status is seen as pending by DDO, through which option the joining CTC can be forwarded to AG?

• Please contact HOD for forwarding joining CTC to AG.

3) Mistakenly gave the incorrect “Joining/Relieving CTC” and the same was forwarded to AG. How to correct such details?

• The DDO can cancel both relieving and joining CTC.

4) The TBHG/Ratio-based promotion was forwarded to AG incorrectly.  How to correct the same?

• The TBHG /Ratio based promotion can be canceled through DDO login using the option Service Matters >> Promotion/Grade/Reversion >> Promotion order (Gazetted) >> Cancel Promotion Details (TBHG/Ratio-Based/Cap).

5)   While submitting the relieving request (for promotion/Transfer), the reporting officer’s name is not listed.

• The HOD may update the controlling office for the said office then only the reporting officer’s name will be listed.

HOD may use the menu: Profile/Admin >> Update Immediate Controlling Office

6) While submitting the joining CTC, Correct date was entered during the same. But the next date is seen mistakenly updated in the “Present Salary details” of the employee.  correct date is seen in Joining CTC. Thereby AG is having an issue in forwarding the Payslip. How to correct Present Salary details as per Joining CTC?

• The joining date will be corrected from SPARK PMU as per the authorized letter and copy of joining CTC to be submitted to SPARK PMU

7) Mistakenly entered incorrect office (abolished) in Promotion /Transfer order, and employee mistakenly ‘Submitted the Joining Request’, how to revert correct joining office details.

• The joining request will be removed from SPARK PMU as per the authorized request letter. Afterwards, the DDO may cancel the relieving CTC. Then contact HOD for cancelling the incorrect order. Afterwards a fresh order can be prepared with correct details.

8) Employee has NGO to SDO Promotion/ transfer, how to forward the Joining CTC to AG’s.

• No need to submit online joining CTC to AG. The user may use the option Service Matters >> Promotion/Grade/Reversion >> Enter Promotion Order Details ( Non Gazetted).

9) “Cancel CTC request “for Joining /Relieving has already been submitted, but data is still pending. How to resolve such cases?

• The “Cancel CTC request“ is been forwarded to AG ,Once the cancellation procedure in AG is completed the “Pending status” of cancellation request will automatically change

10)  How to download the “joining/ relieving CTC” report document.

• The employee can generate CTC details through individual option using the menu view relieving / Joining CTC status.

11) How can one confirm whether the CTC has been forwarded to AG?

• The employee can view the CTC status in the employee’s individual login itself using the menu view relieving /Joining CTC status.

13) While selecting “Generate Promotion order” the desired Designation is not listed in the Designation list.

• Please check whether the desired designation is available or not through the menu code masters—designation option. If the desired designation is not available, for such cases please contact SPARK PMU.

14) One’s designation is seen as mistake in the “Relieving request details” menu.  How to correct the current designation?

• Reporting officer can REJECT the same and DDO can cancel the relieving CTC then contact HOD for cancelling the incorrect order.

15) While generating the promotion/transfer, multiple designations (with same name) are seen in new designations drop down list, How to identify correct desired Designation?

• In the case of Promotion, the scale of pay also be there, if transfer, the designation with the existing scale of pay will only be listed

16) Employee re-joined after deputation from a NON-SPARK office to a SPARK implemented office. How to the transfer employee and submit CTC to AG’s.

• No need to submit online CTC to AG. The employee details is to be included into new office using the option Service Matters >> Deputation >> Return from Deputation.

In such cases, DDO must ensure that the PRESENT SALARY  for the mentioned employee has been authenticated by the concerned approving authority.

Before processing the salary arrears, should ensure that the SERVICE HISTORY’s all entries should be authenticated.

For Ref:

Authentication procedure: The verification user of your AEO/DEO can verify employee data of aided institutions through, Service Matters>>Verify proposals (aided) >> Verify entitlement authentication option and forward the verified application ( present salary and each service history entry ( from starting every entry of service history)) for approval to the concerned approving authority.

In the case of retired employees,  select the option in verifier login-   Include retired employees for the year>>  Then enter the retirement year. Afterward, get all the entries authenticated ( present salary and each entry of service history ).

Entitlement authentication refers to the authentication of both present salary and service history (all entries) 

 Authentication procedure: The verification user of your AEO/DEO can verify employee data of aided institutions through, Service Matters>>Verify proposals (aided) >> Verify entitlement authentication option and forward the verified application ( present salary and each service history entry ( from starting every entry of service history)) for approval to the concerned approving authority.

Then the forwarded application is needed to be authenticated via approving authority after the above-mentioned procedure authentication is completed.

If you want to relieve  the employee from current post  to new higher post  in SPARK, go through Service Matters>>Fresh Appointment to new post>>Relieve  from current post, if there is any part salary in old office you can process it after relieving. The transferred employee can join to new post through the menu Service Matters>>Fresh Appointment to new post>>Join in new post.

To revert the employee back to current post, you can choose Service Matters>>Fresh Appointment to new post>>Revert relieving.

If you want to change both designation and basic pay choose rule 28 A in pay fixation on promotion, to change designation only then choose rule 30 in pay fixation on promotion.

You can transfer the employee by selecting the option Salary Matters>>Deputation>>Relieve on Deputation, enter the deputation details. The deputation is over and employee needs to join his/her own parent department, select the menu Matters>>Deputation>>Return from Deputation.

*** If the employee works under deputation in non-SPARK institution, corresponding period salary details can be updated in SPARK through  Salary Matters>>Manually Drawn Option.

• Initially you have to enter employee disciplinary action details in Discip.Action tab  from the menu Service Matters>>Personal Details.
• Enter subsistence allowance details in Salary Matters>>Sub.Allowance.
• The subsistence allowance can be processed from Salary Matters>>Processing>>Salary>>Sub.Allowance, the multiple month subsistence allowance can be processed from Salary Matters>>Processing>>Multiple month>>Multiple Month Subsistence allowance Processing.
• If the disciplinary action is regularized, you can revoke by penalty revoked date and same period salary can be processed.

Select the menu Service Matters— > Retirements —-> Retirements. In the  Retirement/Terminations/Resignations window, select Department, Office, Employee and then opt the Nature of Retirement or Termination As “Duplicate/Unused PEN”, finally enter the Retirement or Termination Date and confirm the data.

You have to select the menu Salary Matters–>Processing–>Arrear–>Salary Arrear–>Salary Arrear-Retired Employees—>Edit Present Salary for editing present salary details for salary arrear retired employees.

To update the service history of retired employees select the menu Salary Matters—>Processing–>Arrear—>Salary Arrear—>Edit Service History.

Initially you have to check and confirm whether employee designation and scale of pay is changed or not. If employee designation and scale of pay changed but no change in basic pay/last pay change date,then mail us

1.Request from DDO with seal and signature, clearly mentioning the reason for pay change, employee PEN, Basic pay and Last pay change date of this employee to be updated in spark.

2. Manual Fixation Statement.

3. Copy of the service book page showing the relevant changes in basic pay.

** If the employee have drawn excess pay and already refunded please send copy of refund chalan

** For all aided institutions the request letter should be counter signed by higher authority (AEO/DEO/RDD/DD )

• Make sure that PF number and PF type are correct.
• Check employee’s retirement is marked or not. The retirement is marked by using the menu Service Matters>>Retirements>> Retirements, make sure that employee’s superannuation date is over.
• In the Claim Entry (Relieved/Retired) the period of the bill should be within employee’s superannuation date.

Check whether the TEN is already terminated from previous office .If yes, register the  employee again after the very next date of termination.

The Basic pay change and Service History change of the retired employee can be done only after the retirement is marked.

• To correct the retired employee basic pay through Salary Matters >> Processing >> Arrear >> Salary Arrear >> Salary Arrear –> Retired Employees >> Edit Present salary option.
• To correct the retired employee service history can correct through Salary Matters >> Processing >> Arrear >> Salary Arrear >> Salary Arrear –> Retired Employees >> Edit service history option.

SPARK generated challan

You have to send DDO request letter with corresponding challan copy via e mail to update the remittance details..

Treasury challan

If you have refunded excess amount through treasury challan then you can update the details through, Salary Matters>>Manually Drawn option as negative entries with payment type as Arrear.

Cancelling the Leave Account Request:

Service matters-> Leave/OD/Coff processing -> Leave account -> Leave account cancellation request.  

Conditions:

• Gazetted employee name is exempted from listing.
• EL and HPL accounts only possible for cancellation.
• Multiple entries of leave account could not be selected for cancellation. It may either the EL or HPL at a time.
• Supporting attachment is only available if it is attached during the Leave account uploading.
• Forwarded applications could not be edited or delete until the approval or rejection have marked.
• If there is a pending application corresponding leave account new request won’t be allowed.

Cancelling Leave Account Approval:

Service matters-> Leave/OD/Coff processing -> Leave account -> Leave account cancellation Approval. 

Leave Account processing

Service matters -> Leave/OD/Coff processing -> Leave account-> Leave account Processing. 

Conditions

• Forwarded application will be listed for approve or reject
• Applications forwarded before DDO change will be available to new DDO for approval.
• Supporting attachment is only available if it is attached during the Leave account updating.

The individual employee can access login by SPARK after registering the details that is already in SPARK by using the link “Not registered a user yet, register now” from the login page of SPARK website.

Update the leave details through service matters —->leave —-> leave history option then validate leave slip using the menu Salary matters —>Changes in the month—> present salary option then click Go button,finally check Salary matters —>Changes in the month —->AG pay slip details is validated to ‘yes’.

To edit/cancel the leave entered, Please go through the menu Service matters—->Leave/Coff/OD processing—>Leave History then select “Edit” and select the Edit Purpose after that click the “Update” button.

The service history from date and to date entries should be continuous, avoid repetitive dates. The date should be previous date from last pay change date in present salary. The service history records can be edited after unlocking the employee record and lock after the necessary corrections done.

Use the option Accounts>>Claim Entry>>Regular Employee, Ensure that retirement is marked for the employee from Service matters menu.

What is SPARK?

Which department does coordinate the implementation of SPARK?

What is the role of SPARK Project Management Unit (SPARK PMU)?

Who is the developer of SPARK software?

Regular employees Registration
New employee registration is done by the concerned DDO/Head of the Department/Establishment User of the office through the SPARK option Administration→ New employee record. PEN will be generated on entering all the mandatory fields on the personal memoranda page and clicking on ‘Confirm’ button. The registration procedure will be completed only after entering the details in ‘Present Service Details and Contact Details pages.

Points to be noted

• DDO should check and confirm if PEN has already generated for this employee, user can check this through Queries→ Employee Search option.
• If PEN already generated for this employee during his/her past service tenure, in such cases the existing PEN should be continued for future services also.

Temporary Employee/Provisional Employee Registration
The DDO/Head of the Dept/Establishment can register the temporary employees (who are not provided with service Book) through Accounts → Register Temporary employee by entering the details such as name, date of birth, address and bank account details. Name, date of birth and Aadhaar number should be same as given in the Aadhaar card. If system shows any error message like “Enter name/dob as in Aadhaar”, then employee should correct the Aadhaar details by contacting nearest Akshaya having biometric facility. Then only, system will allow registering the employee details in SPARK. Also it should be noted that if employee details are saved with incorrect Aadhaar details, system will restrict further correction on employee details with new Aadhaar. In such cases  Name / Date of Birth of an employee can be changed through the menu , Accounts   → Temporary employees→Edit details. System strictly restricts the registration of an employee from multiple offices. Once a temporary employee got registered in an office through SPARK system, then without terminating from that office, he/she cannot be registered in other offices. On registering the employee, system will generate a temporary employee number (TEN) for the employee.

User can reset password by clicking on ‘Forgot password’link displayed on the log in page of SPARK.  On clicking the link ‘Reset password’ window will appear on the screen for setting new password.Reset password⇒ Enter PEN, Date of Birth, and Email address ⇒ Click on ‘Submit’ Button. If the Email address given is found matching with that given in SPARK profile, then Mobile Number as provided in SPARK Personal Details will appear. If the Mobile Number found correct, click on ‘Verify’ button. Then OTP (One Time Password) will be sent to the mobile number as in the Screen. Enter OTP⇒ click on ‘Confirm’ Button.Then a new window will be displayed for resetting the password, After setting a new password as per the password policy, click on ‘Continue’ Button to confirm new password.

Password Policy  

• New password must be minimum eight characters in length. (Longer is generally better).
• New password should be different from existing password and 2 previous ones.
• Password should include alphabets, numbers and symbols.
• Password like user name, PEN, date of birth, month, and standard word should be avoided.
• Password will be expired after Every 30 days, so change your password before that.
• If any issues found in resetting password, please contact your DMU ( Department Management User). The DMU details are available in the menu Queries→SPARK DMU Details, and it can be viewed through the login of any of the DDOs in your department.

 Points to be noted

• The email id and mobile number entering through Reset password option should match with the details updated in employees’ ‘Contact details’ page .

Regular employees/Provisional Employee Registration
New employee registration is done by the concerned DDO/Head of the Department/Establishment User of the office through the SPARK option Administration→ New employee record. PEN will be generated on entering all the mandatory fields on the personal memoranda page and clicking on ‘Confirm’ button. The registration procedure will be completed only after entering the details in ‘Present Service Details and Contact Details pages.

Points to be noted

• DDO should check and confirm if PEN has already generated for this employee, user can check this through Queries→ Employee Search option.
• If PEN already generated for this employee during his/her past service tenure, in such cases the existing PEN should be continued for future services also.

Temporary Employee Registration
The DDO/Head of the Dept/Establishment can register the temporary employees (who are not provided with service Book) through Accounts →Register Temporary employee by entering the details such as name, date of birth, address and bank account details. Name, date of birth and Aadhaar number should be same as given in the Aadhaar card. If system shows any error message like “Enter name/dob as in Aadhaar”, then employee should correct the Aadhar details by contacting nearest Akshaya having biometric facility. Then only, system will allow registering the employee details in SPARK. Also it should be noted that if employee details are saved with incorrect Aadhaar details, system will restrict further correction on employee details with new Aadhaar. In such cases DDO should contact SPARK PMU for correcting Aadhaar details as per new Aadhaar. System strictly restricts the registration of an employee from multiple offices. Once a temporary employee got registered in an office through SPARK system, then without terminating from that office, he/she cannot be registered in other offices. On registering the employee, system will generate a temporary employee number (TEN) for the employee.

Pay and allowances of all temporary staffs are processed through Temporary employee module.  At first temporary employees Temporary Employees can be registered through the menu, Accounts → Temporary employees →Register Temporary employee.  Then update the details such as Name, Date of birth, Address and Bank Account details.  The Name / Date of Birth of an employee can be changed through the menu , Accounts >>  → Temporary employees→Edit details.

The concerned DDO/Head of the Department/Establishment User can lock the employee details through the option Administration→ Lock employee Record. Employee details should be locked after data verification for ensuring effective processing of employees’ service related procedure through SPARK.

To unlock employee record concerned DDO have to send unlock request through the menu Administration→ Unlock Request,

Select the details to be unlocked and forward for approval to controlling officer.

Unlock approval facility is enabled under controlling officer’s login through the menu Administration→ Unlock Approval option and approve the corresponding employee to unlock.

Points to be noted

• Once data locked, the employee details can be unlocked by the user provided with controlling officer access in SPARK.
• Aided school employees should contact their approving authority (AEO/DEO) for unlocking aided school employee’s employee details
• For individual offices, if their DDO and controlling officer is the same person and the user has been provided only DDO access, then for unlocking employee details , the DDO should forward FORM 5 to SPARK PMU office ( user can download FORMs from info.spark.gov.in and email us to SPARK PMU email id : info@spark.gov.in) for setting the DDO as controlling officer.

For updating Aadhar in SPARK, go through the menu Service mattersàPersonal detailsàPresentservice details. Thenverify the aadhar details and update it. After that register once again.

No. The digital signer device need to be connected only at the time of E-submission or for approving Online PF Applications

Login to SPARK home page. Then go through the menu, AdministrationàNew registration/Renewal of DSC. Click the link ‘Download the appropriate Signer tool ZIP folder Windows/Ubuntu/Mac from https://www.info.spark.gov.in/?page_id=1501′, available in the menu.

If the device (Token) is replaced or the DDO has changed then the same option (NewRegistration/Renewal of DSC) can be used for renewal. In such cases DSC should be registered again in BIMSotherwise this message will be displayed on the screen.

Digital signature certificate can be imported in Internet explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Flag settings are to be imported in Google chrome

• Mozilla Firefox

Open Mozilla Firefox and type the following in the address bar and press Enter key

about:preferences#privacy

A new window will appear and click the View Certificate button

In the new window click the Import button in Authorities tab.

Import the root CA.crt file certificate in the ssl Folder which is already downloaded with DSC Signer and click the Open button.

Select the option Trust this CA to identify websites from the new window and click Ok button.

When the configuration is completed Mozilla Firefox is ready for digital signing using DSC signer.

• Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome and type the following in the address bar and press Enter key.

chrome://flags/#allow-insecure-localhost

Enable the yellow colored link in the flowing window.

After that click the Relaunch button seen at the bottom of the page.

The name in the device should be matched with the name registered in Spark or it should be matched with the name in Aadhar. So Aadhar number should be updated in Spark.

For Registration/Renewal of digital signature device in SPARK, select the Administration menu after login to SPARK. Then click New Registration/Renewal of DSC option in Administration menu.

Click New Registration/Renewal of DSC for registration. Once registered the validity period can be viewed in that window.

After clicking registration option a window will appear for inserting the Token password of the device. In that window insert the password and click Ok button.

A new window, with the name as in Token and the validity period of certificate will be displayed on the screen. Select the check box and click Ok button. If the name is matched then SPARK registration will be completed.

For Registration/Renewal of Digital signature device in BIMS click the DSC registration link available in BIMS Home page.

Insert the 10 digit DDO code and click Next button.

The DDO registration details including Treasury, Department, Office, Designation of DDO will appear in that page. Then click Proceed button.

A pdf certificate will generate in that page. This is the procedure of registration in BIMS.

Submit the acknowledgment letter downloaded from BIMS to concerned treasury.

Yes. At first the digital signer device should be installed in BIMS

DSC Signer will be seen at the right side of the task bar (if the Token is plugged in). To change the Token type right click the DSC signericon and click Settings.

Then select the appropriate Token.

After selecting the Token click Save button.

For updating new office details in SPARK, the Head of the office/DDO has to forward ‘Format 1’ to SPARK PMU office along with sanction order from Government, FORM 3 & FROM 5 for setting DDO /Controlling officer for the newly created office. Before sending Format 01 to SPARK, please ensure that the form is signed by DDO and counter signed by the concerned Treasury.

Please see the below displayed table and submit forms to SPARK PMU office for setting office details

For adding new bank/bank branch in SPARK, the bank should send the following details to SPARK PMU office or e mail to info@spark.gov.in

1. Bank Name
2. Branch name
3. District
4. Branch Code
5. IFSC code
6. Bank Address
7. Phone number
8. Email ID

Note: The above mentioned Bank details should be sent from bank’s official mail id

DDO privilege in SPARK:  The DDO/Head of the Dept has to submit Form 3 to SPARK PMU office/District Treasury, nominating new DDO. ( Form no 3 can be downloaded from info.spark.gov.in )
Note:
Form 3 should be filled and counter signed by the concerned DDO with seal.
Please specify date of Joining of new DDO in the concerned Office.
DDO Registration Number from Treasury should be specified in the form.

Controlling Officer Privilege
For Setting Controlling Officer in SPARK, Form 5 has to be sent to SPARK PMU office/District Treasury.

Nomination/ Change of nomination of Department Management User (DMU)
Submit Form 2 to SPARK PMU office.

Yes. User can generate the employee’s service records in PDF format through the option
Service Matters->Generate Data sheet option.
Employee details which have been entered through SPARK can be generated for printing through this screen. There are two options available under this option, ‘Individual data sheet’ and ‘Designation wise data sheet’.

Individual Data Sheet
Data sheet of individual employees can be generated through this option by selecting office and employee PEN. Click on ‘Generate Report’ button to produce the data sheet of the particular employee.

Designation wise Data Sheet
Data sheet of all employees under the particular designation for the selected office can be generated through this option. Select office and designation from drop down list and Click on ‘Generate Report’ button to generate the data sheet.

• The leave account updation for non-gazetted can be done through the option Service Matters—- > Leave/COff/OD Processing —>Leave Account. While selecting an employee, the details of leave account will be displayed. Both EL and HPL can be updated here. First select leave type then select ‘Enter Opening balance’ option to enter opening balance of leaves as on a date. The Option ‘Enter Opening Balance on Subsequent Date’ is using for any correction in leave account. The Option’ Credit leave based on previous balance’ is using for knowing present leave balance and update leave account based on that details.
• Gazetted employee’s leave account is maintained and updated by Accountant General Office.

Points to be noted:

Before updating leave account, the concerned DDO should check and verify the employee’s leave details, leave availed details should be updated in employee’s leave details.

The concerned DDO has to submit the following documents to SPARK PMU office for deleting the wrongly entered leave account. After getting this entry deleted from SPARK PMU office, user can update correct leave details.

• Formal letter from DDO with signature and seal, which mentions the leave account entry to be deleted with as on date of the entry
• Copy of the Service book’s relevant page which has the latest leave account with attestation in latest date by DDO / Controlling Officer.