Thousands of applicants awaiting Sahara refunds through the CRCS (Centralized Refund Claim System) portal are reportedly facing severe delays, arbitrary payments, and a complete lack of transparency, causing economic, mental, and social distress.
A formal legal complaint submitted to the authorities highlights that while some applicants receive payments within 8–10 days, many have been waiting for over 18 months without any clear explanation or timeline.
The complaint emphasizes that the refund process lacks a publicly available serial number or priority system, resulting in inconsistent and discretionary disbursements. Such practices, it alleges, violate Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality and the right to life with dignity.
The applicant has demanded immediate corrective measures, including the introduction of a priority-based serial numbering system, binding and publicly declared timelines for payments, real-time online updates on application status, and urgent settlement of claims pending for over six months. Accountability for officials responsible for undue delays has also been sought.
The issue gained public attention when a user named Kailash Ram shared the complaint in the comment section of a Facebook post by the Union Ministry of Cooperation. Authorities are urged to act swiftly and transparently, failing which applicants may escalate the matter to higher administrative or legal forums, including CPGRAMS.
