Atal Bhujal Yojana is a scheme initiated and launched by the Central Government in 2019. The scheme launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Government has allocated a total amount of Rs 6000 crore for the implementation of this Atal Bhujal Yojana scheme.
As the name suggests, Bhu= Earth and Jal= Water, the scheme focuses to improve the underground water. The scheme implemented by the participation of the local people.
 What Is Atal Bhujal Yojana
PM Narendra Modi launched Atal Bhujal Yojana on the occasion of the 95th birthday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This scheme aims to improve underground water with the help of local people. The scheme will be implemented in a time of 5 years 1st phase being 2024- 2024 and the second phase being 2024-2025.
The Atal Bhujal Yojana is also known as Atal Jal. The scheme launched in seven major states:
- Karnataka
- Gujarat,
- Rajasthan,
- Maharashtra,
- Madhya Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh,
- Haryana.
In total, 78 districts will benefit from the scheme. 50% of the fund for the scheme from the World Bank in the form of a loan. And the remaining 50% aided by the Central Government. The loan amount by the World Bank paid by the states in the form of Grants. The loan part distributed among the states equally.
Units of Atal Bhujal Yojana
Atal Bhujal Yojana has two major units:
- Institution Strengthening: The scheme aims to improve underground water by improving and strengthening institutional structures. It achieved by improving the monitoring of the underground level, enhancing the association of water use, I.e. how the people are using the water.
- Incentivizing States for improving groundwater management: By this component, the scheme will provide funds to the state to enhance the underground water level by managing the data distribution, constructing water plans.
About Groundwater
Groundwater is the water that is present below the surface of the earth. It is present in the pores of soil in the earth and the fractures of rock. Groundwater finds its uses in drinking and irrigation processes.
Groundwater fulfils about 63% of all the irrigation needs. And it is a significant source that amounts to 80% of the water source in both the urban and rural areas.
However, there has been a significant decline in groundwater, and about 21 major cities in India expected to run out groundwater. The decline has occurred due to increased population and irrigation. Also, read Kusum Yojana Online Application Form.
PM Atal Bhujal Yojana 2024
As the population increased, the need for growing the crops for food increased. Which, in turn, increased the usage of groundwater and hence over time, the groundwater level reduced. Also, there has been huge mismanagement in the usage of groundwater.
Not only irrigation, but the increased population has also increased the usage of water for domestic purposes. And by the increasing usage, the groundwater level has depleted. In the central states, the groundwater is not able to cherish itself due to hard rocks. These hard rocks provide less storage place for groundwater. Hence the central states in the nation are the most affected ones by the increased use and depletion of underground water level.
Seeing this problem, the Government launched this scheme which will enhance groundwater management and with wise distribution, will make sure that water distributed to everyone.
Benefits Of Pradhan Mantri Atal Bhujal Yojana
Atal Bhujal Yojana covers the given benefits:
- The scheme aims to increase under groundwater. It means that the water available for both irrigation and domestic purposes.
- The increased water for irrigation will mean increased crops. It benefits the farmers as they could get more income.
- This scheme, with an increase in crops, could also lead to a downfall in the prices of vegetables. It mean the availability of food to everyone.
- With an increase in water level, it makes sure that every household has access to tapped water. In the present scenario, nearly 84% of rural households have access to drawn water.
Atal Bhujal Yojana Apply Online
Atal Bhujal Yojana is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. As per its name, it intends to enhance the underground water level of the states with the help of local participation and Implementing new water management plans.
It will fund the state to construct storage spaces for water, new water management plans, organizing and managing data about the water distributed.
With the increase in population, the agricultural needs increased. And with this increased irrigation needs along with the water used for domestic purposes. In total, all this resulted in groundwater depletion. And seeking this major problem, the central Government launched this scheme to enhance the groundwater level. For more updates, check Timesalert.
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