Criteria and Implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana

Context:

The Ministry of Jal Shakti outlined the criteria and implementation progress of Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) for water-stressed Gram Panchayats across seven states.

Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)

Name: Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) – Central Sector Scheme.
Launch Objective: Promote community-led participatory groundwater management focusing on both demand- and supply-side interventions.
Coverage: Implemented in 8,203 priority Gram Panchayats across 7 states – Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh (pilot basis).
Selection Criteria:
- Degree of groundwater exploitation and degradation.
- Existing legal and regulatory mechanisms.
- Institutional readiness and prior experience in groundwater management.
- Willingness to participate.
- Final selection by respective state governments for administrative feasibility.

Integration with Other Programmes

Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019 onwards):Rainwater harvesting, conservation, and recharge activities with community participation; >700 Jal Shakti Kendras set up.
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Low-cost local artificial recharge structures, borewell recharge shafts.
MGNREGS:Water conservation works like farm ponds, check dams, percolation tanks, contour trenches; ~60% of resources for natural resource management.
CGWB Programmes:Public Interaction Programmes (PIP) and Mass Awareness Programmes (MAP) on groundwater recharge.

Key Achievements under ABY

Data Management: Groundwater data measurement and public disclosure in all GPs through physical and digital means.
Planning: Community-led Water Budgets (WBs) and Water Security Plans (WSPs) prepared and updated annually.
Capacity Building: Over 25 lakh GP-level trainings plus higher-level capacity-building workshops.
Infrastructure: Installation of piezometers, DWLRs, and rain gauges in almost all GPs.
Water Conservation Structures: ~81,700 structures (check dams, ponds, recharge shafts) built/renovated.
Efficient Practices: ~9 lakh hectares under efficient water-use practices (drip/sprinkler irrigation, mulching, crop diversification).