National Health Authority (NHA)

National Health Authority (NHA)

Part of: Prelims and GS-II Health

Context: 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 so that beneficiaries can seek information regarding their entitlements under the AB PM-JAY using their ration card number.

What is NHA?

• The NHA is mandated with the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri–Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). 
  • AB PM-JAY provides health assurance of up to Rs. 5 lakh for a family a year, for secondary and tertiary care-related hospital- isations.
• The NHA is also working on a proposal to use fair price shops or ration shops for providing information related to the scheme and entitlement under the scheme to eligible beneficiaries.

What is NFSA?

• The NFSA provides a legal right to persons belonging to eligible households to receive foodgrains at subsidised price– rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg and coarse grain at Rs 1/kg — under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). 
• Beneficiaries: Eligible households comprise two categories — priority households, and families covered by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). 
• Benefits: Priority households are entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month, whereas AAY households are entitled to 35 kg per month at the same prices.
• Coverage: 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population. 

What is the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC)?

• Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), which collected the first figures on caste since 1931, is the largest exercise of the enumeration of caste. 
• SECC supplies data to differentiate the socio-economic status of households based on housing, educational status, landholding, differently abled, occupation, possession of assets, SC/ST households, incomes etc.
• The Census thus provides a portrait of the Indian population, while the

News Source: TH