Addressing Issue Of Depleting Groundwater, PM Modi Launches ‘Atal Bhujal Yojana’; To Benefit 8350 Gram Panchayats

In an effort to address the problem of depleting groundwater levels in various parts of the country, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Wednesday (25 December) launched the Atal Bhujal Scheme, reported The Hindu.

The scheme, which is named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has been designed with a principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory groundwater management and bringing about behavioural changes at the community level for sustainable groundwater resource management in seven states including Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these states, according to an official statement.

While launching the scheme, PM Modi also urged the farmers to switch to sowing and growing of crops which use lesser amounts of water.

Out of the total outlay of Rs 6000 crore to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25), 50 per cent shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and be repaid by the Central Government, the statement said.

“The remaining 50 per cent shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire World Bank's loan component and Central Assistance shall be passed on to the states as grants,” it added.