Atal Bhujal Yojana 2023: Central Government has launched Atal Bhoojal Yojana for water conservation. This scheme will improve the existing condition of several water bodies of the country. The Atal Bhujal Yojana will help in raising the level of ground water to meet the needs of the agricultural sector. Central govt. has earmarked Rs. 6,000 crore to successfully implement this large project. Atal Bhujal Yojana will be implemented over a period of 5 years in identified areas in Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
What is Atal Bhujal Yojana 2023
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is a Central Sector Scheme for facilitating sustainable ground water management with an outlay of Rs. 6000 crore. Out of this, Rs. 3,000 crore will be as loan from the World Bank and Rs. 3,000 crore as matching contribution from the Government of India (GoI).
Objectives of Atal Bhoojal Yojana:
The scheme lays emphasis on community participation and demand side interventions for sustainable ground water management in identified water stressed areas in seven States of the country. The scheme also envisages improved source sustainability for Jal Jeevan Mission, positive contribution to the Government’s goal of ‘doubling farmers income’ and inculcating behavioral changes in the community to facilitate optimal water use.
Funds under Atal Bhujal Yojana:
Funds under the scheme shall be provided to the states as grants-in-aid. The World Bank financing will be done under a new lending instrument, that is, Program for Results (PforR), wherein funds under the scheme will be disbursed from the World Bank to the GoI for disbursement to participating States based on achievement of pre-agreed results.
Atal Bhujal Yojana will raise the underwater level to provide pure and clean water for agriculture use to the farmers. Govt. will ensure revival of water bodies to properly supply groundwater and Ganga River Water for agricultural needs. All the people of rural and urban areas can take benefits of Atal Bhoojal Yojana.
Implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana:
Atal Bhujal Scheme is being taken up in 8353 water stressed Gram Panchayats of Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The details of area identified for implementation of the scheme are as below.
| State | Districts | Blocks | GPS |
| Gujarat | 6 | 24 | 1,816 |
| Haryana | 13 | 36 | 1,895 |
| Karnataka | 14 | 41 | 1,199 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 5 | 9 | 678 |
| Maharashtra | 13 | 35 | 1,339 |
| Rajasthan | 17 | 22 | 876 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10 | 26 | 550 |
| Total | 78 | 196 | 8353 |
Components of Atal Bhujal Yojana:
- Institutional Strengthening & Capacity Building component (Rs. 1,400 crore) for strengthening institutional arrangements for ground water governance by facilitating strong data base, scientific approach and community participation in ground water sector in the participating States to enable them sustainably manage their resources.
- Incentive Component (Rs. 4,600 crore) for incentivizing the States for achievement of pre-defined results with emphasis on community participation, demand management and convergence among various on-going schemes of the Central and State Governments and consequent improvement in ground water regime.
Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) for Incentive Amount:
Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) have been identified on the basis of which the incentive amount will be disbursed. The five DLIs considered are:-
- Public disclosure of groundwater data/ information and reports (10% of incentive fund),
- Preparation of Community-led Water Security Plans (15% of incentive fund)
- Public financing of interventions through convergence of on-going schemes (20% of incentive fund)
- Adoption of practices for efficient water use (40% of incentive fund)
- Improvement in the rate of decline of groundwater levels (15% of incentive fund).
The incentive funds will be fungible and better performing States / areas will be eligible for additional funds.
Important Links:
Official Website: Click Here
Scheme Notification: Click Here
Salient Features of Atal Bhujal Yojana:
The important features and highlights of this scheme are as follows:-
Necessity– The level of ground water is reduced to its lowest level in the recent years because of extensive tapping across the country. Govt. has planned this scheme to conserve the water bodies which is an area of concern for the authorities.
Benefits – This scheme will help in reviving the water bodies. Moreover, the levels of ground water will also get improved especially in rural areas.
Beneficiaries – Govt. will implement this Atal Bhujal Yojana in identified areas in Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. All the people can then use underground water or water from Ganga river. Atal Bhoojal Scheme will provide more benefits to the people of rural areas as compared to the people in the urban areas.
Provisional Budget – Central govt. has allotted a budget of Rs. 6000 crore for this scheme and is now approved by the cabinet. Out of the total budget earmarked, Rs. 3000 Crore will be spent by the central government while rest Rs. 3000 Crore will be funded by the World Bank.
Central govt. has introduced this scheme to improve the ground water level of several water bodies across the country. This scheme will resolve the problems of getting ample water to satisfy the need of water for agricultural purposes.
