Source: PIB
Context: The National Level Steering Committee of the Atal Bhujal Yojana, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, has decided to continue the ABY for another two years beyond 2025, till 2027.
Key features of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY):
| Description | |
| About | Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) is a central sector scheme, for sustainable management of groundwater with community participation. |
| Objective | It envisages people’s participation through the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.
It aims to bring behavioural changes in communities and promotes demand-side interventions for water conservation and smart water management. It emphasizes reducing water demand in irrigation and implementing efficient water techniques. |
| Launched in | 2020 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Jal Shakti |
| Funding | Government of India and World Bank on a 50:50 basis |
| Participating States | Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh |
| Selection Criteria for States | Groundwater exploitation, degradation, legal and regulatory instruments, institutional readiness, and experience in groundwater management initiatives |
| Focus Areas | Over-exploited and water-stressed areas |
| Water Conservation Interventions | Demand-side interventions, reducing water demand in irrigation, promoting efficient water techniques (drip/sprinkler, irrigation through the pipeline, mulching, crop diversification, etc.) |
| Performance-based Incentives | States performing well can receive additional incentive funds |
| Monitoring and Evaluation | Pre-defined targets called Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) |
