Current Affairs 10 June 2024

CONTENTS

1. Launch of National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)
2. Public Sector Banks Issue Look-out Circulars
3. Highest NOTA Votes Recorded in Indore Constituency
4. Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)
5. Adoption of Large Action Models (LAMs) by Enterprises
6. Pump and Dump Scheme
7. Child Nutrition Report 2024

Launch of National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)

Context:

The Health Ministry and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) are collaborating to launch the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX). This digital platform aims to enable patients to access quality healthcare quickly and reduce out-of-pocket expenses. NHCX will connect insurance companies, healthcare service providers, and government insurance scheme administrators to streamline healthcare access and claims.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)?
2. Current Claim Processing
3. Benefits of National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)
4. Challenges in the Implementation of NHCX

What is the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)?

Overview:

• The Health Claim Exchange Specification is a communication protocol designed to facilitate the exchange of health claim information between payers, providers, beneficiaries, and other entities.
• It is built to be interoperable, machine-readable, auditable, and verifiable, ensuring accurate and reliable information exchange.
• It is based on open standards for communication.
• It aligns with IRDAI’s objective of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’ and aims to support streamlined, paperless, and secure interactions between hospitals and insurers.

Functionality:

• The NHCX will serve as a gateway for sharing claims-related information among healthcare and health insurance stakeholders.
• It aims to achieve seamless interoperability in health claims processing, improving efficiency and transparency for policyholders and patients.
• It will centralize health claims, reducing administrative burdens on hospitals that currently navigate multiple portals.
• Twelve insurance companies and one TPA have already integrated with the NHCX.

Implementation:

• A new timeline requires that all cashless insurance claims must be processed within three hours of receiving discharge authorization from the hospital.
  • The insurance regulator has set a deadline of July 31 for providers to implement the necessary systems and processes.
• The launch of both the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX) and the time-bound insurance clearance is anticipated soon.

Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS):

• To promote digital health transactions and the digitization of patient health records, the National Health Authority introduced the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) in January 2023.
• According to the Health Ministry, under the DHIS, hospitals receive financial incentives of ₹500 per insurance claim transaction through the NHCX or 10% of the claim amount, whichever is lower.

Current Claim Processing

Process Overview:

• At present, patients provide their insurance policy information or a card issued by a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) or insurance company when they visit a hospital.
• For those under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), the card is issued by the State Health Agency (SHA).
• Hospitals utilize specific claim processing portals to upload required documents for preauthorization or claim approval.
• The State Health Agency, insurance company, or TPA verifies and digitizes the form through their internal portal, and the claims are processed by the relevant team.
• In India, this process is largely manual, unlike in many developed markets where over 90% of claims are auto-adjudicated.

Challenges:

• The current claims exchange process lacks standardization across the ecosystem.
• Most data exchange occurs through PDF/manual methods.
• There are no established health standards.
• Processes differ significantly among insurers, TPAs, and providers.

Benefits of National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)

• Standardization and Seamless Exchange:
  • NHCX will facilitate standardized and seamless exchange of health claim data, documents, and images among payers (insurance companies, TPAs, government scheme administrators) and providers (hospitals, labs, polyclinics).
• Efficiency and Transparency:
  • The platform is expected to enable transparent and efficient claims processing, significantly reducing operational costs.
  • Industry experts highlight that NHCX will provide uniform data presentation and centralized validation of claims, leading to a standardized approach to healthcare pricing.
  • This will enhance efficiency, predictability, and transparency in healthcare costs.
• Cost Reduction:
  • Digitization and centralization through NHCX are anticipated to significantly lower the cost of processing claims.

Challenges in the Implementation of NHCX

• Health Insurance Market:
  • Health insurance contributes to approximately 29% of the total general insurance premium income in India.
• Inter-Organizational Relationships:
  • A major challenge is improving the relationship between hospitals and insurance companies, which requires efforts in digitization, IT system upgrades, and workforce training.
• Operational Issues:
  • Problems such as discharge delays and miscommunication add complexity to the process.
• Trust Building:
  • Building trust among policyholders is crucial and relies on efficient service delivery.

-Source: The Hindu

Public Sector Banks Issue Look-out Circulars

Context:

Since 2018, six Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have issued 1,071 Look-out Circulars (LOCs) to prevent wilful defaulters from absconding to other countries.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is a Look-Out Circular (LOC)?
2. About Wilful Defaulter

What is a Look-Out Circular (LOC)?

• Definition:
  • A Look-Out Circular (LOC) is a notice issued to prevent an individual wanted by the police, investigating agencies, or even banks from exiting or entering the country through specified land, air, and sea ports.
• Authority:
  • The Bureau of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for enforcing LOCs to restrict the movement of such individuals.
• Scope:
  • India has 112 immigration check posts where LOCs are enforced.
  • Various agencies have the authority to issue LOCs, including:
    • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
    • Enforcement Directorate (ED)
    • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
    • Income Tax Department

Issuance and Validity

• Issuing Authority:
  • LOCs must be issued by officers not below the rank of district magistrate or superintendent of police, or a deputy secretary in the Union Government.
• Modification and Renewal:
  • LOCs can only be modified, deleted, or withdrawn at the request of the originating agency.
  • They are valid for a maximum of 12 months and will not be automatically renewed unless a new request is made by the issuing agency.

Maintenance and Action

• Responsibilities:
  • The Bureau of Immigration maintains records of LOCs and takes action against individuals at Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) as per the directives of the originating agency.

Power of Public Sector Banks (PSBs)

• Historical Context:
  • Since 2018, banks were also empowered to issue LOCs against individuals who posed economic risks to the country.
• Recent Legal Ruling:
  • The Bombay High Court recently ruled that PSBs cannot issue LOCs against alleged loan defaulters without a specific law or statute, citing it as a violation of fundamental rights.
  • This decision nullified the 2018 Government Office Memorandums that had authorized banks to issue LOCs.

About Wilful Defaulter:

• Wilful defaulters are entities that have the ability to repay money but intentionally fail to do so.
• The concept of ‘Wilful Defaulter’ was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through its Master Circular, which defined the term and provided guidelines for banks and financial institutions to determine instances of wilful default.

Criteria for Wilful Default:

According to the RBI, a wilful default is deemed to have occurred in the following circumstances:

• When there is a default in repayment obligations by a unit (company/individual) despite having the capacity to repay, indicating a deliberate intention not to repay the loan.
• When funds obtained for a specific purpose are diverted for other uses.
• When funds have been siphoned off and not utilized for the intended purpose, without any justifiable assets to account for the usage.
• When assets purchased with lenders’ funds are sold off without the knowledge of the bank/lender.
• In cases where group companies of wilfully defaulting units fail to honor guarantees or letters of comfort provided to lenders when invoked, such group companies are also considered wilful defaulters.

Consequences of being a Wilful Defaulter:

• Banks and institutions are required to submit the list of suit-filed accounts of wilful defaulters to Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd (CIBIL) on a quarterly basis.
• Banks report the names of current and former directors associated with the defaulter at the time of classification, which serves as a warning to other financial entities.
• A wilful defaulter is prohibited from starting a new business for a period of five years from the date of being declared as such.
• Lenders are expected to initiate legal action, including criminal proceedings if necessary, against the defaulting borrowers/guarantors, expediting the recovery process.
• Banks and institutions have the authority to change the management of a wilfully defaulting company.
• While there is no specific law for legal action against wilful defaulters, banks can initiate action under existing laws such as the SARFAESI Act, Companies Act, 2013, Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, etc.
• Overall, the designation of wilful defaulter carries significant consequences for the entities involved, aiming to discourage deliberate non-repayment and promote accountability in the financial system.

-Source: Indian Express

Highest NOTA Votes Recorded in Indore Constituency

Context:

Recently, the Lok Sabha elections in Indore, Madhya Pradesh saw a remarkable outcome, with the NOTA (None of the Above) option receiving over 2 lakh votes, making it the highest ever for NOTA in any constituency.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is NOTA in Indian Elections?
2. Election Commission’s Clarification
3. Arguments in Favor of NOTA Option
4. Arguments Against the NOTA Option

What is NOTA in Indian Elections?

• Definition: NOTA stands for “None of the Above”. It is an option on the ballots and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) that allows voters to reject all the contesting candidates without selecting any of them.
• Purpose: NOTA enables voters to express their dissatisfaction with the candidates and indicates their negative opinions and lack of support for any contenders.
• Secrecy: It allows voters to reject all candidates while maintaining the secrecy of their decision.

Historical Background

• Law Commission’s 170th Report (1999): The commission explored the idea of negative voting along with a 50%+1 voting system. However, practical challenges prevented final recommendations on the matter.
• Supreme Court Directive (2013): The Supreme Court instructed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce the NOTA option to protect the secrecy of voters’ choices.
• PUCL’s Petition (2004): The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) approached the Supreme Court, advocating for the protection of voters’ right to secrecy.

Implementation and Use

• First Use: NOTA was first used in the 2013 Assembly elections in five states: Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, and later in the 2014 General Elections.
• Legal Directive: It was included in the electoral process following the 2013 Supreme Court directive in the PUCL vs Union of India case.

Election Commission’s Clarification

• Vote Count: Votes cast as NOTA are counted but considered as ‘invalid votes’.
• Election Outcome: If NOTA receives the highest number of votes, the candidate with the next highest votes is declared the winner. Thus, NOTA votes do not alter the election result.
• Supreme Court Petition: The court is considering a petition for guidelines where NOTA gets the majority, potentially nullifying the election and calling for fresh polls.
• Fictional Electoral Candidate: Some regions like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Puducherry have declared NOTA as a “Fictional Electoral Candidate”, leading to fresh elections if NOTA secures the majority of votes.

Arguments in Favor of NOTA Option

• Empowerment and Expression: NOTA gives voters the power to reject all candidates on the ballot, allowing them to express their dissatisfaction with the available choices.
• Promoting Accountability: The presence of NOTA encourages political parties and candidates to present better, more capable, and ethical representatives, as they risk losing votes if voters are unhappy.
• Valuable Feedback: NOTA votes can provide important feedback to the Election Commission and political parties regarding voter dissatisfaction, which can then be addressed appropriately.

Arguments Against the NOTA Option

• Symbolic Nature: NOTA votes are largely symbolic and do not impact the election results. Even if NOTA receives a majority, the candidate with the next highest vote count still wins.
• Potential for Misuse: There is concern that voters might use the NOTA option to express general protest votes against the system rather than genuinely rejecting the available candidates.
• Bias in Reserved Constituencies: In some instances, high NOTA votes in reserved constituencies may indicate a bias against candidates from specific castes, potentially undermining the intent of NOTA.
• Democratic Principles: The NOTA option can weaken the principles of representative democracy, as it does not offer a clear mandate for the winning candidate.

-Source: Indian Express

Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)

Context:

Currently, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is developing 900 rainwater harvesting (RWH) pits along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor in a move to ensure environmental sustainability.

Relevance:

GS III: Infrastructure

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)

Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)

• RRTS is an integrated, mass transit network with semi-high-speed rail connectivity at its core.
• Its purpose is to promote balanced and sustainable urban development by improving connectivity and accessibility across the National Capital Region (NCR).

Origin:

• The concept of RRTS emerged from an Indian Railways study conducted in 1998-99.
• This study highlighted the potential for an RRTS network connecting various NCR locations through rapid commuter trains.
• In 2006, the proposal gained traction as Delhi Metro lines expanded to NCR towns like Gurgaon, Noida, and Ghaziabad.
• The National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) adopted the concept as it developed the Functional Plan on Transport for NCR-2032.
• NCRPB identified and recommended eight RRTS corridors to connect NCR towns through high-speed rail-based commuter transit services.

Objectives:

• The RRTS aims to unleash the NCR’s full potential and enhance multi-modal connectivity at transportation hubs.
• It encourages public transportation use to reduce road and metro/rail congestion.
• The project aims to stimulate employment generation and create new commercial hubs in the NCR.
• Shorter travel times are expected to boost the region’s economic productivity.

Features:

• RRTS trains are faster than metro trains, with speeds of 160 km/hour (up to 180 km/hour).
• The RRTS model is based on systems like Paris’ RER, Germany and Austria’s Regional-Express trains, and the U.S.’ SEPTA Regional Rail, among others.

Differences from Existing Systems:

• RRTS is faster than metros.
• Compared to Indian Railways, RRTS covers shorter distances but offers higher frequency and more comfort.

-Source: Times of India

Adoption of Large Action Models (LAMs) by Enterprises

Context:

Enterprises globally are adopting Large Action Models (LAMs) that understand complex goals communicated with natural language, and they follow up with autonomous actions to achieve them.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Large Action Models (LAMs)
2. What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?

About Large Action Models (LAMs):

• Advanced AI Models:
  • LAMs represent sophisticated Artificial Intelligence models.
• Complex Task Execution:
  • These models are crafted to understand and execute intricate tasks based on user requirements.
• Combination of Language and Logic:
  • Unlike Large Language Models (LLMs), LAMs integrate language comprehension with logical reasoning to carry out various tasks.
• Learning from Data:
  • LAMs utilize extensive datasets of user action information, leveraging this data for strategic planning and proactive real-time actions.
• Advanced Machine Learning Techniques:
  • These models employ cutting-edge machine learning methods, including deep learning and reinforcement learning, enabling them to learn from vast datasets and enhance their decision-making abilities over time.
• Predictive Analysis:
  • By examining past and present actions, LAMs can make informed predictions about future outcomes, aiding in planning, strategy, and real-time decision-making in complex environments.
• Wide Application:
  • LAMs have applications across diverse fields such as personal assistants, autonomous vehicles, robotics, healthcare, and financial modeling.

What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?

• AI Programs:
  • LLMs are a type of AI program that can recognize and generate text, among other functions.
• Extensive Training:
  • They are trained on enormous datasets, which is why they are termed “large.”
• Deep Learning:
  • LLMs utilize deep learning, a machine learning technique, to understand how characters, words, and sentences work together.
• Contextual Understanding:
  • These models can infer context, generate coherent and relevant responses, translate into multiple languages, summarize text, answer questions, and assist in creative writing or code generation tasks.

-Source: Indian Express

Pump and Dump Scheme

Context:

The Securities Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) recently slapped a fine of Rs 7.75 crore on 11 individuals for allegedly operating a ‘pump and dump’ scheme.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

About Pump and Dump Scheme:

• Manipulative Market Activity:
  • A pump and dump scheme involves artificially inflating a stock’s price using false or misleading information to sell it at the inflated price, leaving investors with significant losses.
• Prevalence:
  • This scheme is especially common in the micro-cap and small-cap sectors, where companies often have limited public information and lower trading volumes.

How Pump and Dump Schemes Work:

• Stock Acquisition:
  • Initially, a large quantity of stock in a small or thinly traded company is acquired. These are often referred to as ‘penny stocks’ due to their low prices and susceptibility to manipulation from low trading volumes.
• Aggressive Promotion:
  • The stock is then aggressively promoted to generate excitement and attract investors. This can include mass emails, newsletters with exaggerated claims, and misleading social media posts to create buzz and interest in the stock.
• Increasing Demand:
  • As the promotion gains traction, more investors buy the stock, driving up its price due to increased demand. Sometimes, fraudsters engage in coordinated buying to further boost the price. This phase often sees rapid and significant price increases, giving the illusion of a high-potential investment.
• Sell-Off:
  • Once the stock price is sufficiently inflated, the sell-off begins. The selling pressure causes the stock price to crash, often leaving unsuspecting investors with significant losses as the stock returns to its actual value or even lower.

Impact:

• Investor Losses:
  • Those who bought into the hype and purchased the stock at inflated prices usually face substantial losses when the stock price collapses.
• Market Confidence:
  • Such schemes undermine confidence in the financial markets, making legitimate investors wary of potential fraud.

*Under the SEBI guidelines, pump and dump schemes are entirely prohibited.

-Source: Business Standards

Child Nutrition Report 2024

Context:

One in four children under age 5 around the world is experiencing severe food poverty, according to the recently released Child Nutrition Report 2024.

Relevance:

GS III: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Child Nutrition Report 2024
2. Highlights of the 2024 Report

About Child Nutrition Report 2024:

• Released By:
  • The report was published by UNICEF.
• Scope:
  • It assesses the status, trends, inequalities, and causes of child food poverty in early childhood, including the effects of global and local food and nutrition crises.
• Focus:
  • The report emphasizes low- and middle-income countries where most children suffering from food poverty live, examining the consequences of child food poverty on malnutrition and developmental issues.
• Definition:
  • UNICEF defines child food poverty as the inability of children to access and consume a nutritious and varied diet during early childhood (the first five years of life).

Highlights of the 2024 Report:

• Global Statistics:
  • One in four children under the age of 5 worldwide (about 27% or 181 million children) experiences severe food poverty and is at risk of life-threatening malnutrition.
• Regional Data:
  • Over two-thirds of the 181 million young children facing severe food poverty reside in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, with 20 countries accounting for 65% of these children.
• Affected Countries:
  • The countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Yemen.
• Economic Impact:
  • The report found that children in both poor and non-poor households are affected by severe food poverty.
  • Approximately half (97 million) of the children living in severe food poverty are from middle- and upper-income households.

-Source: UNICEF