About the Scheme

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) is a Central Sector Scheme with focus on community participation and demand side interventions for sustainable groundwater management in identified water stressed areas of seven States in the country viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 
• The scheme, partly funded by the World Bank, is being implemented from 2020 for a period of 5 years. 
• It envisages people’s participation through the formation of water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.
• The scheme also envisages sustainable groundwater management, mainly through convergence among various on-going schemes, with emphasis on demand side measures through active involvement of local communities and stakeholders. 
• It is being implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. 

Why in News?

• The seventh meeting of the National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) for implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana was held at New Delhi.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2093441