PRADHAN MANTRI JAN AROGYA YOJANA

• Recently, the Union Health Ministry has said that the National Health Authority (NHA) is working to integrate the database of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 beneficiaries with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) portal.
• This step envisages that beneficiaries can seek information regarding their entitlements under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB PM-JAY) using their ration card number.
• The National Health Authority (NHA) has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments.
• Inter-alia, this will include, formulation of AB PMJAY policies, development of operational guidelines, implementation mechanisms, coordination with state governments, monitoring and oversight of AB PMJAY amongst other.
• The State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.
• The proposal will allow NHA to use Fair Price Shops or ration shops for providing information related to the scheme and entitlement under the scheme to eligible beneficiaries.
• This will provide an additional avenue to beneficiaries along with the existing Common Service Center for card creation.
• This will make the beneficiary identification process very convenient.
• Common Identity Enabler: Aadhaar being a common identity across the majority of government databases will enable this integration.
• Further, Aadhaar also ensures certainty regarding beneficiary identification through e-KYC.
• e-KYC enables paperless delivery of services in a targeted manner.
• The NHA will collaborate with various ministries implementing welfare schemes to strengthen the different aspects of scheme implementation including beneficiary awareness campaigns, beneficiary database (SECC 2011) enrichment etc.
• The vast ambition of the AB-PMJAY programme presents an opportunity to pursue the systemic reform that India requires to meet its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aims.

Major Provisions:

• 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
• Meal and maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth.
• Meals for children upto 14 years of age.
• Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals.
• Setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state level.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT