Executive Summary:
This document presents the Indian government's response to questions regarding the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) in Lok Sabha on August 21, 2025. It details the scheme's implementation, funds allocated and utilized, impact assessment, and promotional activities from October 2021 to March 31, 2025. The ABY, a community-led groundwater management scheme, operates in seven states, focusing on demand-side management.
Key Points / Main Content:
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) Overview:
* ABY is a community-led groundwater management scheme focused on demand-side management.
* It is implemented in 7 states, benefiting 8,203 water-stressed Gram Panchayats (GPs).
* States implement supply and demand-side measures from Water Security Plans (WSPs) at the GP level, incentivized through convergence with ongoing schemes.
Beneficiaries and Infrastructure:
* From October 2021 to December 2024, approximately 9.78 lakh beneficiaries received assistance for efficient water use practices.
* Around 81,700 supply-side structures have been constructed or renovated for water conservation and groundwater recharge.
Funds Allocated and Utilized (as of March 31, 2025):
* Gujarat: Released ₹595.57 Crores, Utilized ₹470.61 Crores.
* Haryana: Released ₹753.00 Crores, Utilized ₹620.48 Crores.
* Karnataka: Released ₹903.21 Crores, Utilized ₹831.71 Crores.
* Madhya Pradesh: Released ₹211.75 Crores, Utilized ₹193.89 Crores.
* Maharashtra: Released ₹643.82 Crores, Utilized ₹609.59 Crores.
* Rajasthan: Released ₹489.50 Crores, Utilized ₹484.79 Crores.
* Uttar Pradesh: Released ₹264.83 Crores, Utilized ₹207.13 Crores.
* Total: Released ₹3861.68 Crores, Utilized ₹3418.20 Crores.
Impact Assessment and Expansion:
* Quality Council of India (QCI) is conducting an impact assessment of ABY activities.
* ABY is a pilot project with a fixed duration and outlay currently under impact assessment.
Promotional Activities:
* Various awareness campaigns are conducted, including narrowcasting, folk dances, street plays, and distribution of informational materials.
* Innovative campaigns like Atal Jal Rath Yatras, nukkad nataks, puppet shows, and wall paintings are also undertaken.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing supply and demand-side measures, incentivized for doing so.
* Action Required: Implement Water Security Plans (WSPs) and coordinate with ongoing schemes.
Local Communities (Gram Panchayats):
* Impact: Benefit from improved groundwater management and water conservation efforts.
* Action Required: Prepare Water Security Plans (WSPs) and participate in the implementation of ABY.
Farmers/Beneficiaries:
* Impact: Receive assistance/subsidies for adopting efficient water use practices.
* Action Required: Adopt practices such as drip/sprinkler irrigation, mulching, and crop diversification.
Quality Council of India (QCI):
* Impact: Tasked with assessing the impact of ABY activities.
* Action Required: Conduct thorough impact assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY): A community-led participatory ground water management scheme focusing on demand-side management of ground water.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question about Atal Bhujal Yojana was raised.
Gujarat: One of the seven states where Atal Bhujal Yojana is being implemented.
Haryana: One of the seven states where Atal Bhujal Yojana is being implemented.
Karnataka: One of the seven states where Atal Bhujal Yojana is being implemented.
Madhya Pradesh: One of the seven states where Atal Bhujal Yojana is being implemented.
Maharashtra: One of the seven states where Atal Bhujal Yojana is being implemented.
Rajasthan: One of the seven states where Atal Bhujal Yojana is being implemented.
Uttar Pradesh: One of the seven states where Atal Bhujal Yojana is being implemented.
Quality Council of India (QCI): An organization engaged for Impact Assessment of activities under Atal Bhujal Yojana.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4704
ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025
EXPANSION OF ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA
4704. SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:
SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of beneficiaries under the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) during each of the last five
years, State-wise;
(b) the total funds allocated, sanctioned and utilised thereunder during the said period, Statewise;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any survey or study on the implementation of ABY and its
potential expansion to other States;
(d) if so, the details of the States considered to be covered under the said yojana and if not, the reasons
therefor; and
(e) whether the Government has undertaken any promotional activities to raise awareness regarding the
said yojana and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Atal Bhujal Yojana, is a community led participatory ground water management scheme focusing
on demand side management of ground water, being implemented in 7 States, benefiting 8,203 water
stressed Gram Panchayats (GPs). Under this scheme, implementation of various supply and demand side
measures recommended in Water Security Plans (WSPs) prepared at the GP level by the local
communities, is taken up by the concerned state governments through convergence with ongoing
schemes, for which the states are suitably incentivized.
Identification, selection and endowment of beneficiaries is a continuous process under Atal Bhujal
Yojana. As per the information provided by implementing states on Atal Jal MIS dashboard, from
October 2021 to December 2024, around 9.78 lakh beneficiaries have been provided with
assistance/subsidies to bring their farmland under efficient water-use practices (drip/sprinkler irrigation,
mulching, poly house, crop diversification, etc.), through convergence as well as utilization of incentive
funds. State-wise details are provided in Annexure. Similarly, around 81,700 supply-side structures
have been constructed/renovated for water conservation and groundwater recharge, benefiting the entire
communities of the implementation area.
1(b) The total amount of funds released and utilized, state-wise, as on 31.03.2025 under Atal Bhujal
Yojana is provided as under:
(amount in Rs. Crores)
State Released Utilised
Gujarat 595.57 470.61
Haryana 753.00 620.48
Karnataka 903.21 831.71
Madhya Pradesh 211.75 193.89
Maharashtra 643.82 609.59
Rajasthan 489.50 484.79
Uttar Pradesh 264.83 207.13
Total 3861.68 3418.20
(c) & (d) Quality Council of India (QCI) has been engaged for Impact Assessment of activities under
Atal Bhujal Yojana. Further, Atal Bhujal Yojana is a pilot project for participatory ground water
management with a fixed duration & outlay. Currently, the project is under impact assessment stage.
(e) Atal Bhujal Yojana has taken up creative promotional activities to raise awareness about
sustainable water use which includes publicity through Narrowcasting in Haryana, Folk Dances in Kar
Jal Dindis in Maharashtra, Ratri Choupals in Rajasthan, Jal Kosh Yatra and Pani Pathshala in Uttar
Pradesh, etc. Additionally, innovative campaigns like, Atal Jal Rath Yatras, nukkadnatak/street plays,
puppet shows, distribution of leaflets/brochures and pamphlet, audio/video publicity, wall paintings,
door to door campaigns, Kala Jatha, preparation of documentaries, installation of signboards, posters
and hoardings at Gram Panchayats, placement of QR Codes in Gram Panchayat, etc. have also been
conducted.
***
2ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.
4704 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.08.2025 REGARDING “EXPANSION OF
ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA”.
Total no of direct beneficiaries under demand side activities in Atal Bhujal Yojana
(from October, 2021 to December, 2024)
Name of state Total no. of
Sr. No.
beneficiaries
1 Gujarat 98,012
2 Haryana 1,16,564
3 Karnataka 1,96,330
4 Madhya Pradesh 24,309
5 Maharashtra 3,69,306
6 Rajasthan 1,38,815
7 Uttar Pradesh 35,373
9,78,709
*****
3