Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

Its objective is to promote planning, water budgeting, demand-side management and public participation for sustainable groundwater management in water-stressed areas. The scheme is being implemented in several gram panchayats in seven states suffering from water crisis.

Benefits and Features of Atal Bhujal Yojana

The key features of Atal Jal are:

Besides this, the scheme also promotes:

• Water budgeting

• Crop water management

• Rainwater conservation

• Groundwater usage awareness

• Involvement in water planning at the village level

Policies and Eligibility Criteria

Unlike most other welfare schemes of the government, the Atal Bhujal Yojana scheme does not have individuals as direct beneficiaries. Gram panchayats and states are the implementing bodies for the programme. The scheme is implemented in particular regions that qualify as water-stressed and need intervention.

Eligible States

The scheme is being implemented in the following seven states:

• Gujarat

• Haryana

• Karnataka

• Madhya Pradesh

• Maharashtra

• Rajasthan

• Uttar Pradesh

Eligible Areas

Implementation of the scheme is limited to:

• Selected water-stressed districts

• Selected administrative blocks

• Selected gram panchayats

The selection of areas is based on groundwater conditions and programme guidelines issued by the Government of India.

Implementing Agencies

Implementation involves many government and local bodies such as:

• Ministry of Jal Shakti

• State governments

• District administrations

• Gram panchayats

• Local water user associations

• Community institutions

Financial Assistance

The programme has a total outlay of ₹6,000 crore, funded equally by the Government of India and a World Bank loan. Performance-based grants are awarded to participating states based on the achievement of prescribed objectives stated in the scheme guidelines.

Application Process

Since Atal Bhujal Yojana is an area-based scheme, individual citizens do not have the option of applying for financial assistance under the programme. Implementation is handled by government authorities and agencies, and consists of the following steps:

• Identifying water-stressed gram panchayats that qualify.

• Collection of information on groundwater resources and their utilisation.

• Development of plans for ensuring water security in villages.

• Soliciting views from gram sabhas and other local institutions.

• Approval and initiation of groundwater management actions.

• Monitoring of results based on groundwater information and programme indicators.

• Performance-based grants to participating states upon attainment of programme targets.

Individuals living in gram panchayat areas participating in the scheme can contribute in the following ways:

• Be a part of gram sabha meetings.

• Participate in water budgeting exercises

• Participate in community awareness programmes

• Provide help in developing village water security plans

Information regarding the scheme can be obtained from the Water Resources Department of the concerned state or the official website of Atal Jal.

Conclusion

The Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is a Government of India initiative towards the management of groundwater in identified water-scarce regions. This scheme, supported by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, promotes sustainable and integrated water management planning, groundwater management and institutional strengthening and community participation. The programme neither targets nor benefits individual citizens directly; rather, it deals with state governments and gram panchayats to improve long-term planning for water resources and promote sustainable groundwater management.