Atal Bhujal Yojana

1. 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).

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The 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.

Details of area & tentative financial allocations 

5. The 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.

 6. 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.