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The scheme allows treatment at discounted rates in private hospitals. The initiative was started in 2010. Even COVID and mucormycosis are covered in the plan. Meanwhile, activists said the scheme should be scrutinised first. A system should be in place to curb issuance of unauthorised cards in the first stage itself. Pune: The maximum income limit for beneficiaries has been increased under the Urban Poor Health Scheme and more citizens in the civic limits will soon be able to benefit from it. “The state government has allowed us to increase the income limits. A proposal regarding it has been tabled before the standing committee. After the approval is granted, more citizens will be eligible to apply for the scheme,” said a senior official of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Currently, only those with an annual income of Rs1 lakh can take advantage of the programme. After the new proposal is approved, anybody with Rs1.6 lakh income per annum can avail the benefit from it. The scheme allows treatment at discounted rates in private hospitals. The initiative was started in 2010. Even COVID and mucormycosis are covered in the plan. Meanwhile, activists said the scheme should be scrutinised first. A system should be in place to curb issuance of unauthorised cards in the first stage itself. On an average, Rs30 crore is annually spent to keep the scheme running and the expense is likely to go up by around Rs20 crore, while nearly 1 lakh citizens benefit from the scheme every year and it is likely to double after the income limit goes up. Government and private hospitals under PMC limits are empanelled under the scheme and provide 50 per cent waiver in bills to members of the scheme. The remaining amount is paid by PMC to the hospital. According to the city based health activists, though the decision to increase the limits is a much welcome move, the civic administration should make absolutely sure that genuine beneficiaries get the facilities. “Document scrutiny should be strict, and random audits and sudden checks are a must,” said Abhijit More, a health activist. The PMC has planned to digitise the scheme to reduce mismanagement and malpractice in this programme. 1 Sep, 2023 Source : Healthworld.com from The Economic Times

Families with income up to Rs 3 lakh will have to pay an annual premium of Rs 1,500 to get a health card and nearly eight lakh citizens will be issued the health cards under the scheme. Chandigarh: Haryana’s health department will run an ‘Ayushman Bhava’ special campaign from September 1 to December 31 with an aim to achieve comprehensive coverage of the health scheme across the state. The four-month-long campaign will reach out to every household and involve the entire populace, said Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal while presiding over a meeting here on Thursday to discuss the ‘Ayushman Bhava’ campaign. Kaushal said under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) families with annual income up to Rs 1.8 lakh will be provided free health cards. Families with income up to Rs 3 lakh will have to pay an annual premium of Rs 1,500 to get a health card, he added. Kaushal, as per an official statement, said nearly eight lakh citizens will be issued the health cards under the scheme. Moreover, the village-level gram sabhas will be organised to raise awareness about health, hygiene and nutrition. The chief secretary said Ayushman Fairs will be hosted at the health and wellness centres every Saturday and Sunday during the run of the campaign. These fairs will offer healthcare services related to diabetes, blood pressure, cancer, oral and cervical health, tuberculosis, leprosy, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, immunisation, and eye examinations. Medical colleges will also conduct Ayushman Fairs at all community health centres on a weekly basis, he added. The chief secretary said the health check-ups will be conducted for all children from birth to 18 years of age in the Anganwadi centres and government schools. Highlighting the Seva Pakhwada programme, he outlined its implementation across all health centres, including health and wellness centres, community health centres, hospitals and medical colleges in the state. The chief secretary said the initiative will emphasise cleanliness and seek cooperation from the anganwadi centres, accredited social health activist workers, gram panchayats, and also other government departments. 12 Aug, 2023 Source : Healthworld.com from The Economic Times

Every morning, thousands of construction workers in Qatar start their day by soaking their uniforms in water made by British startup Techniche UK, which brands them as StayQool suits. Constructed from an outer layer of specially designed mesh, plus a waterproof inside layer, the suits absorb and remove heat through evaporation. Every morning, thousands of construction workers in Qatar start their day by soaking their uniforms in water. The two-minute ritual kickstarts an important process: When the workers are toiling outside — often at summer temperatures above 120F (48C) — their uniforms can cool skin temperature by as much as 8C (14F), for up to seven hours. The uniforms are made by British startup Techniche UK, which brands them as StayQool suits. Constructed from an outer layer of specially designed mesh, plus a waterproof inside layer, the suits absorb and remove heat through evaporation. They’re also adjustable: Workers can add or remove a cooling collar or wrist cuff as needed. Techniche isn’t alone in seeing opportunity in apparel designed to beat the heat. With 2023 on track to be the hottest year on record, a number of startups are exploring new technologies and textiles for keeping people cool. In the US, work is underway to commercialize wearable technology that mimics air-conditioning, while scientists in China are working on highly reflective fabric. With more heat and more heat waves expected in the years ahead, cooling is becoming a holy grail for garment makers. “As climate change pushes temperatures in extreme directions, demand from consumers for cooling apparel is also increasing at a faster pace,” says Sophie Bakalar, a partner at venture firm Collaborative Fund, which invests in climate-friendly apparel startups. “This trend is likely to continue as the Global South industrializes further and consumers have greater disposable income to spend on comfort.” Extreme heat isn’t just inconvenient — it’s bad for human health, and the economy. Heat stress is particularly dangerous for children and the elderly, and can exacerbate existing medical conditions. Productivity also takes a hit. In 2021, heat exposure nixed 470 million potential labor hours globally in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and the service industry, according to data compiled by The Lancet. In the US, President Joe Biden has said heat waves cost the country $100 billion annually. Research shows that heat waves are likely to become more frequent in coming decades. For companies like Techniche, that’s a recipe for growth. Today, the startup sells vests, hats, neck bands and other garments with built-in cooling technology to companies and individual customers in nearly 30 countries. Last year, it booked revenue of almost £7 million ($8.8 million), compared with £150,000 in 2014, when Techniche launched cooling baseball caps as its first commercial product. “The market is growing enormously,” says co-founder and managing director James Russell. The company is now developing a cooling vest that will come equipped with smart sensors capable of monitoring workers’ biometrics and predicting when they might be at risk of heat stress. It’s also working on gear that can absorb heat using phase-change materials, originally developed by NASA to help astronauts maintain a consistent body temperature in space. On the other side of the world from Techniche’s London office, Renkun Chen, a professor of University of California at San Diego, is working on the same problem. Except Chen is leveraging his background in mechanical engineering to design clothes that come with air-conditioning. Just as conventional air-conditioning units keep a space cool by transferring heat outside of it, Chen has crafted palm-sized thermoelectric devices that react to a preferred temperature set by the user. The devices are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and are small and flexible enough to be embedded in clothing. They offer a maximum reduction in skin temperature of 10C. “Our climate has already changed and this is irreversible,” Chen says. While cutting carbon emissions is vital, he says, “we also have to find ways to adapt to it, as more extremely hot days will surely come.” Chen says his research team has already partnered with a California-based startup to commercialize the technology. They still need to develop an automated production line that can manufacture the thermoelectric devices at scale, which would lower production costs from several thousand dollars for one shirt to closer to $200. In China, researchers from Zhejiang University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and several other institutes are taking another approach: clothes that reflect solar heat. The scientists manipulated the structure of polyester using nanomaterials and a redesigned weaving technique, resulting in a material that reflects roughly 90% of the sun’s rays, according to a 2021 study published in Science. A conventional white cotton shirt reflects about 60% of sunlight. The reflective polyester also radiates more infrared energy than regular fabrics, which reduces body temperature. According to the study, the material can stay as much as 5C cooler than midday ambient air temperatures, and as much as 10C cooler at night. While their work has yet to be commercialized, the study’s authors noted that their polyester is “readily compatible” with making garments. Blistering summers have fueled innovations across a wide array of consumer products and wearables. Tokyo-based Kuchofuku Co. has developed a fan-equipped baby carrier, while another Japanese manufacturer, A-Mec Co., makes a cooling vest for dogs. Even with the variety of approaches, most of these cooling solutions face similar limitations, says Bakalar at Collaborative Fund. The biggest of those is price, which will have to come down to make high-tech cooling gear accessible and appealing. Even at a production cost of $200 per shirt, Chen’s AC clothes would be prohibitively expensive for most. Russell says Techniche’s cooling suit is priced comparably to mid-end gear worn by construction workers in the US and Europe, but costs more than four times as much as similar workwear in the developing world. Some cooling clothes come with other trade-offs. To work for eight hours, Chen’s AC gear is embedded with roughly 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) of electronic components. Techniche’s cooling vest is

In a bid to make it easier for thousands of health insurance policyholders, the insurance regulator has proposed to make customer information sheets (CIS) simple and easy to understand. A customer information sheet gives you a glance at the key policy details in a summarised format. Usually, the insurer provides a customer information sheet with the policy at the time of purchase and renewal of the policy. Now, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has suggested changing the existing format of the customer information sheet. “To ensure that the health insurance policy information is provided in a simple and easily understandable language, it is proposed to revisit the customer information sheet,” the insurance regulator mentioned in a draft proposal dated August 30, 2023. “Typically, the policy document is rather lengthy, and policyholders must carefully examine crucial information. However, policyholders will be able to obtain facts like as exclusions, waiting periods, financial limits of coverage, and claim procedures in very simple words in this overhauled customer information sheet,” said Rakesh Goyal, Director of Probus Insurance Broker. If finalised, it will further help policyholders understand the complex terms and procedures related to their health insurance policies better, said Abhishek Kumar, a SEBI-registered investment adviser and Founder of SahajMoney.com. Let’s take a look at the key changes in the proposed customer information sheet of health insurance policies. The new format of customer information sheet will ensure that policyholders receive all of the basic information regarding the coverage. “The proposed CIS format is simple, and conversational in nature,” said Bhaskar Nerurkar, Head, Health Insurance Administration, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. Health insurance: Type of policy and sum insured At present, the customer information sheet does not mention some critical information that the insurance company will need to add if the draft proposal is accepted in the current form. According to the proposed format, the customer information sheet will have a few new sections such as what type of policy it is — indemnity, benefit, or both, added Kumar. Further, the CIS will have to specify the sum insured amount under individual as well as family floater policies, he mentioned. Health insurance: Financial limits of the coverage The proposed customer information sheet has merged some of the previous sections such as payment basis and loss sharing under a new section, financial limits of the policy, added Kumar. The new CIS further breaks down the complex terms of a health insurance policy including sub-limit, co-payment, and deductible, and mentions them in straightforward language, barring jargon or technical terms. This is how the customer information sheet will look as per IRDAI proposal Health insurance claim settlement turnaround time The proposed customer information sheet will contain the details of procedures that have to be followed for cashless service as well as for reimbursement of claims including pre- and post-hospitalisation. The format, according to the IRDAI proposal will be as follows: Turn Around Time (TAT) for claims settlement: XX Further, the insurer has to provide the details/web link for the following: i) Network Hospital details ii) Helpline number iii) Downloading/getting claim form This information aims to speed up your health insurance claims, say experts. “IRDAI’s proposal to amend the CIS, or customer information sheet, is definitely a customer friendly move. It will provide policyholders with a quick, convenient guide about their policy will also provide a hassle-free experience at the time of hospitalisation, as they will not have to deal with voluminous policy documents. Additionally, this simple-to-follow and uniformly formatted customer information sheet will help policyholders understand policy clauses, any restrictions, sub-limits, claim procedures, and requirements with sheer ease,” said Amit Chhabra, Chief Business Officer – Health and Travel Insurance, Policybazaar.com. Health insurance: Contact of grievance redressal officer The customer information sheet will include the contact details of the company’s grievance redressal officers and IRDAI-appointed ombudsman offices. Thus, health insurance customers can easily raise their complaints if they have any grievances. Health insurance: Free look period, how to port your insurance There will be a separate column about things a health insurance customer needs to know. It will specify the free look period (you may cancel the policy within xx days if you do not want it) and the process, policy migration and portability (the process for migration and portability at the time of renewal) and clauses of policy renewal (except on grounds of fraud, moral hazard or misrepresentation or non-cooperation, renewal of your policy will not be denied, provided the policy is not withdrawn). When compared to the existing CIS, the proposed format seems easier and simpler to understand. “It remains a great way for customers to understand the terms and conditions of the product they intend to purchase and brings in greater transparency,” Nerukar added. “The regulator aims to distill the intricacies of insurance features and terms into an easily understandable format, essentially encapsulating the idea of enabling informed decision-making. It provides consumers with the assurance required to navigate the intricate realm of health insurance effectively,” says Amrit Singh, Co-Founder and CRO, Loop, a healthcare startup. Health insurance: Disclose pre-existing diseases, know your obligations While purchasing a policy, you also have a few responsibilities. You must disclose all your pre-existing diseases and conditions to an insurer before buying a policy. Do note that hiding your pre-existing conditions will be termed as fraud and it will affect your claim settlement. IRDAI has also asked the insurer to mention other material information that a policyholder needs to disclose during the policy period. Further, the insurer must provide an online link to where the product-related documents including the customer information sheet are available on the website of the company. “With easy digital access proposed in the exposure draft, it would be easier for customers to understand product-related information,” Nerukar mentioned. 6 Sep, 2023 Source : The Economic Times

The Bima Sugam platform, initially slated for a January 2023 and then an August 2023 launch, is facing its third postponement. A new launch date has been set for June 2024, according to a recent report by Asia Insurance Post. Live TV The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has initiated crucial processes to pave the way for Bima Sugam’s eventual launch, the report said. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued to appoint a project consultant, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development. The regulator has also established a committee, which will serve as the supreme decision-making body overseeing the creation and operation of the Bima Sugam platform, as outlined in the report. The committee comprises prominent figures from the industry including Rakesh Joshi, the Finance and Investment member of IRDAI; Anup Bagchi, the MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance; Naveen Tahilyani, the MD & CEO of Tata AIA Life Insurance; Mahesh Balasubramanian, the MD & CEO of Kotak Life Insurance; Nilesh Garg, the MD & CEO of Tata AIG General Insurance; Prasun Sikdar, the MD & CEO of Manipal Cigna Health Insurance; Inderjeet Singh, the Secretary General of the General Insurance Council; and Satyendra Nath Bhattacharya, the Secretary General of the Life Insurance Council. To navigate the intricate legal aspects of the project, the IRDAI has enlisted the services of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) as its legal counsel. CAM’s responsibilities include the incorporation of a Section 8 not-for-profit company, which will serve as the entity owning the Bima Sugam platform, the report said. Bima Sugam is poised to become a one-stop insurance platform that lists all life and general insurance policies. Experts predict that this platform could herald a monumental shift in the insurance sector, streamlining the way insurance products are accessed and compared. Once launched, Bima Sugam will empower users by providing comprehensive support for their personal and commercial insurance needs. The platform will play a pivotal role in identifying and comparing optimal insurance products, all while adhering to stipulated timelines. It will handle the sales, servicing, and claims processing for insurance policies. The platform will collaborate with aggregators like PolicyBazaar, brokers, banks, and insurance agents who will act as facilitators or bridges for individuals seeking to purchase insurance policies through the platform. This approach promises to simplify the insurance purchasing process and enhance accessibility for individuals seeking life, motor, or health insurance policies. Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go! 6 Sep, 2023 Source : CNBC TV18

Working with Health Insurers to Ensure 100% Cashless Claim Settlement Soon: IRDAI mumbai: Insurance sector regulator IRDAI on Wednesday said it is working on with health insurance providers to ensure 100 per cent cashless settlement of medical expense claims as soon as possible. Currently cashless claim process is tiresome and insurers deduct 10 per cent or more from the total billing in the name of consumables and other heads. Also, most hospitals don’t allow cashless admissions even though the insurance product offers such a facility, citing one or other excuses. Addressing the three-day global fintech festival here on the second day, IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) chairman Debasish Panda said the regulator is working with health insurers and the national health authority and also the insurance council to roll out 100 per cent cashless claim settlements as soon as possible. However, he didn’t give any time frame. IRDAI is also working closely with the Insurance Council and the National Health Authority to onboard more hospitals onto the National Health Exchange for this, he said. Panda said the regulator is working with insurers to facilitate better and affordable pricing of health insurance for the elderly, which, he said, is an area of critical concern now as current pricing make mediclaim policies beyond the reach of most of the elderly. On the drive for ‘insurance for all’ by 2047 when the nation will be celebrating a century of independence, Panda said, “we should work for achieving the target much before the terminal date”. 6 Sep, 2023 Source : The Times Of India

As part of its Mission 2047 ‘Insurance for All’, IRDAI is planning to launch Bima Trinity – Bima Sugam, Bima Vistar, Bima Vaahaks – in collaboration with general and life insurance firms. IRDAI chairperson Debasish Panda The next 10 years are of utmost importance for the insurance sector, said the IRDAI chairperson Debasish Panda at the Global Fintech Fest 2023. “We’ll see a radical change in the nature of insurance buyers. As the level of awareness is on the rise, we will see more and more customised products. This means, we need more players, more distributors and more capital needs to be infused in the sector,” Panda said. Emphasising that technology will be the binding factor for Insurance 2.0, Panda said that a slew of reforms and initiatives in the insurance sector are now creating an environment that fosters innovation, promotes necessary ease of doing business, reduces compliance and facilitates avenues for growth. “Today, an insurance company can launch almost all types of insurance products without waiting for regulatory approval. It can even tie up with multiple distribution partners,” Panda said. As part of its Mission 2047 ‘Insurance for All’, IRDAI is planning to launch Bima Trinity – Bima Sugam, Bima Vistar, Bima Vaahaks – in collaboration with general and life insurance firms. Also Read: Bima Sugam: A platform that may transform the insurance business “The life insurance and general insurance councils which are the self-regulating industry bodies are also gearing up to support the industry in a more efficient way. They are also working towards enhancing customer experience, particularly in health insurance by bringing 100 percent cashless claim settlement,” Panda said. Currently, insurers deduct 10 per cent or more during claims. To facilitate more investments in the segment, Panda said that insurance companies’ boards now have more flexibility and autonomy for taking operational decisions independently, and various redundant prior approvals have been dispensed off. “The investment landscape is also being revamped to attract more investments in the sector. Be it in the increase in the limits for FDI, promoter status, or staggered lock-in requirements. Moreover, insurers can now invest in the funds of funds, alternate investment funds, debt instruments of INVITs and REITs, as so on and so forth,” he said. Earlier, an investment of over 10 percent in the paid-up capital of an insurer necessarily had to be made as a ‘promoter’. Under the 2022 regulations, the promoter threshold was raised from 10 percent to 25 per cent. 6 Sep, 2023 Source : money control

LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) – Britain said on Wednesday it would start work on setting up new rules specially designed to prevent a big insurance company collapse from crashing the financial system. Regulators have already introduced rules to deal with ailing banks after global financial crisis more than a decade ago left taxpayers picking up the bill. But no such specifically tailored regime currently exists in Britain to deal with failures in the country’s insurance industry, which is the fourth largest in the world. The UK finance ministry said in a response to a public consultation on introducing a regime for insurers that the Bank of England’s ability to deal with Silicon Valley Bank’s UK subsidiary this year showed how specific resolution rules could enhance UK financial stability. The European Union is in the process of approving its own set of rules for handling insurance company failures. In Britain, insurance company collapses currently come under modified UK company insolvency arrangements, which the finance ministry said may be less effective for an industry with 2.7 trillion pounds ($3.45 trillion) in assets. “The introduction of an insurer resolution regime would also ensure the UK remains at the forefront of international standards,” the government said, adding that UK branches of foreign insurers, including those from Gibraltar, should also come under the new rules. The ministry said it had considered whether the Lloyd’s of London insurance market should also come under the new regime but decided against it given the market already has to comply with winding up regulations specifically designed for it and there was a need to avoid duplication. Under the rules for dealing with failed banks, they are required to issue a special form of debt that can be written down to replenish burnt out capital as part of a resolution process. The ministry said it would not introduce a similar requirement for insurers. Shareholders in a failing insurer would be the first to absorb losses, ahead of unsecured creditors, to fund the “bail in” of an insurer, helping to keep taxpayers off the hook. Insurers deemed “systemically important” would be required to work with regulators on plans setting out what would happen in a collapse, the ministry said. The timing of the new regime is unclear given that legislation is needed and Britain is likely to face national elections next year. Britain is also finalising separate rules to ease capital requirements for insurers to encourage investment in the economy. 2 Aug, 2023 Source : REUTERS

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Thursday restricted import of certain laptops and computers under HSN 8471 with immediate effect. In its notification, the DGFT restricted import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers and ultra small form factor computers and servers. These electronics can be imported only against a valid license meant for restricted imports. However, it clarified that it does not bar imports under Baggage rules for the said items. India’s licensing requirement for imports of laptops, tablets and personal computers will ensure security of its citizens, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday, adding the decision was in compliance with the World Trade Organization’s requirements. The government said the import licensing requirement is exempted for purchase of a single unit of laptop, tablet, all-in-one PCs or ultra small form factor computer, including in cases an unit is bought from online sites. However, such imports will attract taxes as applicable. You Might Also Like: Further, it also exempted licensing for imports up to 20 pieces each of these items per consignment, in cases where these are imported for certain purposes including research and development, testing, benchmarking and repair. Exemption of import licensing is also provided for the said electronics which serve as an essential part of Capital Good, the notification said. A Push for Local Manufacturing “However, our ecosystem isn’t ready yet for an assembly of this magnitude. Vendors ship in close to 2 million notebooks every quarter with around 3/4th out of this imported. Also, the almost entire volume of premium notebooks are imported,” Singh said. He added that the timing isn’t the best as the PC market has been struggling since the last 2-3 quarters and that the timing isn’t the best as the PC market has been struggling since the last 2-3 quarters and this will further dampen the market sentiment. Goldman Sachs said that the move could benefit Indian EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) companies as brands may import semi-knocked down (SKD) units/components and outsource assembly of these devices. “As India moves away from import of electronics to domestic manufacturing, we anticipate a paradigm shift in the growth of its home-grown EMS companies. Dixon is a major beneficiary of the “Make in India” push across products, as it is India’s largest EMS for electronics, lighting, mobile phones, security systems and washing machines,” it added. Anirudh Garg, Partner & Head of Research at Invasset PMS, noted that electronics have been a significant drain on India’s forex reserves. Therefore, the move will foster a conducive environment for domestic electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. “Companies like Netweb Technologies and Dixon Technologies stand to benefit from this policy, expanding their domestic market share and aligning themselves with India’s push to become a world leader in semiconductor manufacturing,” said Garg. In April-June, electronics imports, which include laptops, tablets and personal computers, was $19.7 billion, up 6.25% year-on-year. Electronics imports range between 7% to 10% of the country’s total merchandise imports. India has been trying to push local manufacturing by giving production-linked incentives in over two dozen sectors, including electronics. It has extended the deadline for companies to apply for its $2 billion manufacturing incentive scheme to attract big-ticket investments in IT hardware manufacturing, which covers products like laptops, tablets, personal computers and servers. The incentive scheme is key to India’s ambitions to become a powerhouse in the global electronics supply chain, with the country targeting annual production worth $300 billion by 2026. Dell, Acer, Samsung, LG Electronics, Apple Inc, Lenovo and HP Inc are some of the key companies selling laptops in the Indian market and a substantial portion are imported from countries such as China. The intent seems to be “import substitution of certain goods that are imported heavily,” said Madhavi Arora, economist at Emkay Global. Laptops, tablets and personal computers compose about 1.5% of the country’s total annual imports and nearly half of those are bought from China, according to government data. India has imposed high tariffs in the past on products like mobile phones to catalyze domestic output. 3 Aug, 2023 Source : The Economic Times

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 was passed in Lok Sabha on 27th June 2023 and Rajya Sabha on 2nd August 2023. The Bill was first introduced in Lok Sabha on 22nd December 2022. Subsequently, it was referred to the Joint Committee of the Parliament. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill received overwhelming support and insightful suggestions from the Members of the Committee across parties. The Joint Committee on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 held detailed discussions with all the 19 Ministries/Departments along with Legislative Department and Department of Legal Affairs. The Committee conducted clause-by-clause examination of the Bill through a series of 9 sittings between 09.01.2023 and 17.02.2023. The Committee finally adopted its Report in its sitting held on 13.03.2023. The Report of the Committee was laid before Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on 17th March 2023 and 20th March 2023 respectively. The Committee recommended a few more amendments in the Bill. Committee also made 7 general recommendations which provide advice and guidance for future decriminalization efforts. One of the recommendations include constitution of a group consisting of legal professionals, industry bodies, members of bureaucracy and regulatory authorities, etc. to examine other acts and carry out exercise similar to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023. Working group has been constituted as per the recommendation of the Committee. Through The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, a total of 183 provisions are being proposed to be decriminalized in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries/Departments. Decriminalization is proposed to be achieved in the following manner: – (i) Both Imprisonment and/or Fine are proposed to be removed in some provisions. (ii) Imprisonment is proposed to be removed and fine retained in few provisions. (iii) Imprisonment is proposed to be removed and Fine enhanced in few provisions. (iv) Imprisonment and Fine are proposed to be converted to Penalty in some provisions. (v) Compounding of offences is proposed to be introduced in few provisions. For effective implementation of the above, the bill proposes measures such as (a) pragmatic revision of fines and penalties commensurate to the offence committed; (b) establishment of Adjudicating Officers; (c) establishment of Appellate Authorities; and (d) Periodic increase in quantum of fine and penalties It is also ensured that degree and nature of punishment is commensurate with the severity of the offence. The benefits of the Amendment Bill are outlined as under: 1. The Amendment Bill will contribute to rationalizing criminal provisions and ensuring that citizens, businesses and the government departments operate without fear of imprisonment for minor, technical or procedural defaults. 2. The nature of penal consequence of an offence committed should be commensurate with the seriousness of the offence. This bill establishes a balance between the severity of the offence/violation committed and the gravity of the prescribed punishment. The proposed amendments ensure the adherence to law by businesses and citizens, without losing the rigor of the law. 3. The criminal consequences prescribed for technical/procedural lapses and minor defaults, clog the justice delivery system and puts adjudication of serious offences on the back burner. Some of the amendments proposed in the Bill are to introduce suitable administrative adjudication mechanisms, wherever applicable and feasible. This would go a long way in reducing undue pressure on the justice system, reduce the pendency of cases and help in a more efficient and effective justice dispensation. 4. Decriminalization of provisions which affect citizens and certain categories of government employees will help them live without the fear of imprisonment for minor violations. 5. The enactment of this legislation would be a landmark in the journey of rationalizing laws, eliminating barriers and bolstering growth of businesses. This legislation would serve as a guiding principle for future amendments in various laws. Consolidated amendments in various laws with a common objective will save time and cost for both Government and Businesses alike. Ministry/Department-wise List of 42 Acts  (Covered under The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023) 2 Aug, 2023 Source : Ministry of Commerce & Industry