ataljal.mowr.gov.in Atal Jal Bhujal Yojana : Department of Water Resources
Organisation : Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti
Scheme Name : Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)
Applicable State/UT : India
Website : https://ataljal.mowr.gov.in/Home/Index
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What is Atal Bhujal Yojana?
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is a Central Sector Scheme for facilitating sustainable ground water management with an outlay of INR 6000 crore. Out of this, 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). 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.
Related / Similar Scheme :
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. The scheme is being taken up in 8353 water stressed Gram Panchayats of Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Components of Atal Bhujal Yojana
The Atal Bhujal Yojana Scheme has two components, viz.
i. 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.
ii. 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) 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).
Note:
The incentive funds will be fungible and better performing States / areas will be eligible for additional funds.
Project Description of Atal Bhujal Yojana
The goal of Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is to demonstrate community-led sustainable ground water management which can be taken to scale. The major objective of the Scheme is to improve the management of groundwater resources in select water stressed areas in identified states viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Atal Jal is targeted at sustainable ground water management, mainly through convergence among various on-going schemes with the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders. This will ensure that in the Scheme area, the funds allocated by the Central and State governments are spent judiciously to ensure long term sustainability of ground water resources.
The convergence shall further result in incentives to State Governments for suitable investments, aided by strong data base, scientific approach and community participation. The scheme has been designed as a pilot with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory ground water management. It also aims at bringing about behavioural change at the community level through awareness programs and capacity building for fostering sustainable ground water management in the participating States.
A four Pronged Strategy:
1. Decision support tools for ground water management :
An MIS is being developed to operationalise and standardise program implementation across the Participating States. The MIS will be used to operationalise and standardise the preparation of Water Security Plans (WSPs), water budgeting, monitoring of ground water levels and quality, and reporting on the progress in implementation of WSPs. The MIS will be extensively used by implementing agencies at all levels. It will provide access to information for beneficiary communities to plan and implement interventions.
2. Strengthen community based institutions to foster management :
The incentives provided under ATAL JAL will trigger initiatives to strengthen enabling institutions and build the required information base for bottom‐up, participatory planning and implementation of appropriate interventions in ground water management and use. This represents a step change in the ‘business‐as‐usual’ approach and will set the correct course to accomplish sustainable ground water management at a larger scale.
3. Improve water use efficiency and enhance ground water recharge :
The Program supports volumetric metering and real‐time data systems, as well as raising awareness about the importance of good ground water governance. It also supports on‐ground actions that are based on community ownership and judicious management of water resources.
4. Fiscal decentralisation :
The program not only focuses on building state institutions but also supports the general move of the Government of India (GoI) towards fiscal decentralisation. It takes forward the GWMR Scheme, a centrally implemented scheme that does not allocate funds to the state level. This centralised approach has affected ownership, uptake, and implementation of the Aquifer Management Plan (AMPs). In ATAL JAL, funds are to flow from the central government to the states and from there onwards to the appropriate implementing levels (districts, blocks, GPs, and beneficiaries).
Atal Bhujal Yojana Toll Free
Toll Free No. for Grievance Registration : 1800110121