**Executive Summary**
This document answers Unstarred Question No. 2162 in the Lok Sabha on February 12, 2026, regarding the status and expansion of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY). It details the states covered, funds allocated, and the Government's assessment of the impact of ABY in pilot states. The annexure specifies funds released/assigned and utilized by each state as of February 9, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) Status:**
* ABY was a pilot scheme for community-led participatory groundwater management.
* Implemented in priority water-stressed areas across 8,203 Gram Panchayats in 229 blocks in 80 districts.
* Seven states: Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
* Demonstrably improved groundwater management through community participation, Water Security Plans, water-efficient practices, monitoring, and recharge structures.
* **Expansion Plans:**
* ABY was a fixed duration pilot programme, successfully demonstrating community-centered groundwater management.
* It provided a replicable model for implementation by other states.
* **Impact Assessment:**
* Quality Council of India (QCI) conducted an Overall Impact Assessment Study.
* Identified enhanced community awareness, women's participation in leadership, social inclusivity, and overall knowledge enhancement in groundwater conservation.
* **Funds Released/Utilized (as of 09.02.2026):**
* Total funds released/assigned: ₹3990.18 Crores.
* Total funds utilized: ₹3626.68 Crores.
* Funds breakdown for each state provided in Annexure.
**Impact Analysis**
**Key Stakeholder: State Governments (Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh)**
* **Impact:**
* States benefited from ABY as a pilot program for improved groundwater management.
* States are to take lessons from the assessment study to improve their practices and the community benefit.
* **Action Required:**
* Review funds released and utilized, and ensure effective implementation of ABY initiatives.
* Consider replicating the ABY model based on its demonstrated efficacy, if not part of ABY.
Key Entities Referenced
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY): A pilot scheme for community-led participatory groundwater management in priority water-stressed areas.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The ministry responsible for the Atal Bhujal Yojana and answering the parliamentary question.
Gujarat: One of the seven states in which the Atal Bhujal Yojana was implemented as a pilot program.
Haryana: One of the seven states in which the Atal Bhujal Yojana was implemented as a pilot program.
Karnataka: One of the seven states in which the Atal Bhujal Yojana was implemented as a pilot program.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2162
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
STATUS AND EXPANSION OF ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA
2162. SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) including the number of States and districts covered
and the funds allocated and utilized thereon;
(b) whether the Government has any plans to extend ABY to other States facing groundwater scarcity and if
so, the details thereof; and
(c) the Government’s assessment of the impact of ABY on groundwater management in the pilot States?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Atal Bhujal Yojana was a pilot scheme for community led participatory groundwater management
implemented in priority water stressed areas across 8,203 priority water stressed Gram Panchayats of 229
blocks in 80 districts of seven states viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. During its course, the programme has demonstrably improved groundwater
management through active community participation, preparation of participatory Water Security Plans,
adoption of water efficient practices, community-led monitoring, and implementation of recharge structures.
The total amount of funds released and utilised, State-wise, as on 09.02.2026 under Atal Bhujal Yojana
is provided in Annexure.
(b) Atal Bhujal Yojana was a pilot programme conceived with a fixed duration & outlay which has
successfully demonstrated the efficacy of community centred ground water management and provided a
replicable model which can be taken up for implementation by other States.
(c) Overall Impact Assessment Study of Atal Bhujal Yojana has been conducted by Quality Council of
India (QCI). On the basis of detailed field surveys in the scheme implementation areas and interactions with
local communities, the study has recognized important changes brought about by the scheme, like
enhanced community awareness on ground water issues through capacity building and IEC activities,
women's participation in leadership and decision making in groundwater management, social inclusivity and
overall knowledge enhancement and willingness of the community to partake in groundwater conservation
and water management.
***
1ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2162
TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 12.02.2026 REGARDING “STATUS AND
EXPANSION OF ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA”.
(Amount In Rs. Crores)
State Funds released/ assigned Funds utilized
(till 09.02.2026) (till 09.02.2026)
Gujarat 623.44 539.08
Haryana 731.56 652.64
Karnataka 940.98 894.77
Madhya Pradesh 229.39 197.47
Maharashtra 671.87 627.14
Rajasthan 518.77 487.68
Uttar Pradesh 274.17 227.90
Total 3990.18 3626.68
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