Atal Bhujal Yojana: Introduction
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti (earlier known as Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation) to improve ground water management through community participation. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.6000 crore and is to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25). The funding pattern is 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank.
Atal Bhujal Yojana: Components
The Scheme has two components, viz.
- 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.
Atal Bhujal Yojana: Funding
The World Bank has approved Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY). The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.6000 crore. The funding pattern is 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank. INR 3,000 crore will be as loan from the World Bank and INR 3,000 crore as matching contribution from the Government of India (GoI).
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.
Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) have been identified on the basis of which the incentive amount will be disbursed. The five DLIs considered are
(i) Public disclosure of groundwater data/ information and reports (10% of incentive fund),
(ii) Preparation of Community-led Water Security Plans (15% of incentive fund)
(iii) Public financing of interventions through convergence of on-going schemes (20% of incentive fund)
(iv) Adoption of practices for efficient water use (40% of incentive fund)
(v) 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.
Atal Bhujal Yojana: Coverage
The scheme aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these States.
The details of area identified for implementation of the scheme are as below.
Details of area & tentative financial allocations
| Sl.No. | State | Districts | Blocks | GPs |
| 1 | Gujarat | 6 | 24 | 1,816 |
| 2 | Haryana | 13 | 36 | 1,895 |
| 3 | Karnataka | 14 | 41 | 1,199 |
| 4 | Madhya Pradesh | 5 | 9 | 678 |
| 5 | Maharashtra | 13 | 35 | 1,339 |
| 6 | Rajasthan | 17 | 22 | 876 |
| 7 | Uttar Pradesh | 10 | 26 | 550 |
| TOTAL | 78 | 193 | 8,353 |
Atal Bhujal Yojana: Scope
The scheme envisages active participation of the communities in various activities such as formation of Water User Associations, monitoring and disseminating ground water data, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-Panchayat wise water security plans and Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities related to sustainable ground water management.
The identified over-exploited and water stressed areas for the implementation of the scheme fall in the States of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The States have been selected according to a number of criteria, including degree of groundwater exploitation and degradation, established legal and regulatory instruments, institutional readiness, and experience in implementing initiatives related to groundwater management.
Read more about Atal Bhujal Yojana: http://mowr.gov.in/schemes/atal-bhujal-yojana
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