Lok Sabha Question No. 1654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-01
Subject: Participation under Atal Bhujal Yojana
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1654

ANSWERED ON 01.08.2024

## PARTICIPATION UNDER ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA

## 1654. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the participation of communities and panchayats under the Atal Bhujal Yojana;

(b) the details of Disbursement Linked Indicators that the Government follows while giving incentive disbursement to the States;

(c)  the  criteria  for  identifying  water-stressed  areas  within  each  of  the  seven  States,  particularly  in  the State of Uttar Pradesh along with the details of those areas; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to inculcate behavioural change amongst citizens?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) Community participation is fundamental to the implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana. Communities play a crucial role in  the  collection  and  dissemination  of  groundwater  information  like water level and its trend, water quality, contributing valuable localised groundwater information. They have been trained to use relevant instrument and procedures for this purpose. Based on the knowledge and  experience  gained,  they  are  further  trained  for  the  nuances  of  water  budgeting  which  helps  in preparation of effective, implementable water security plans reflecting the specific needs and challenges of  their  panchayats.  These  plans  are  presented  in  gram  sabha  for  wider  discussion  and  participation. Moreover,  Social  inclusion  is  adopted  through  mandatory  33%  (minimum)  women's  participation  in active decision making  roles. Community  participation ensures the convergence and effective implementation of other related schemes, fostering  a holistic and integrated approach to  groundwater management. By adopting water-efficient practices, communities contribute directly to the sustainability of groundwater resources, aligning with the overarching goals of the scheme.

Community participation has been ensured further through, regular meetings/ discussions, various modes  of  Information,  Education  and  communication  (IEC),  awareness  programmes  and  materials developed  in vernacular languages. NGOs  are  engaged  by  the  participating states as District Implementation  Partners  (DIPs),  to  facilitate  handholding  of  the  communities  at  each  step.  At  Gram Panchayat Level, Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) members are trained so that they can ensure wider, informed public participation.

(b) Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) are result indicators linked to disbursement of funds under the Incentive component of the scheme. Funds shall be disbursed subject to achievement of the result indicators by the States. The five DLIs defined under Atal Bhujal Yojana are as follows:

-  DLI 1: Public disclosure of groundwater data /information and reports
-  DLI 2: Preparation of Community-led Water Security Plans
-  DLI 3: Public financing of approved Water Security Plans through convergence of ongoing /new schemes
-  DLI 4: Adoption of practices for efficient water ruse
-  DLI 5: Improvement in the rate of decline of groundwater levels

(c) Government  of  India  is  implementing  Atal  Bhujal  Yojana  in  7  States,  viz.,  Haryana,  Gujarat, Karnataka,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Maharashtra,  Rajasthan  and  Uttar  Pradesh.  The  states  were  selected according  to  a  number  of  criteria  including  degree  of  groundwater  exploitation  and  degradation, established  legal  and  regulatory  instruments,  institutional  readiness  and  experience  in  implementing initiatives  related  to  groundwater  management. Areas  covered  under  Atal  Bhujal  Yojana  in  the  seven participating states can be seen at:

https://ataljal.mowr.gov.in/Home/ContentManagement?Url=%20AreaunderAtalBhujalYojana.html&Ma nuId=4&language=1

(d) Holistic efforts are being made under Atal Bhujal Yojana at individual, societal and systemic levels to bring about long term behavioural changes in community members to shift over to best practices for groundwater  management.  Intensive  awareness  programs  and  IEC  activities  are  conducted  at  gram panchayat level to educate people on the consequences of over-extraction and benefits of conservation. The community is actively involved in water budgeting and preparation of Water Security Plans ( WSP ). Various water measurement equipment like water level sounder, water quality testing kit, rain gauge, water flow meters etc. are installed in the village and the community members are trained to operate them so as to have a demonstrative effect.

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