The 8th National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) meeting for the Atal Bhujal Yojana was held in New Delhi, chaired by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Senior officers from participating states, members of NLSC, representatives from various Ministries, the World Bank, and the National Project Management Unit (NPMU) attended the session.
A National Model for Groundwater Governance
In her address, Secretary Mukherjee described Atal Bhujal Yojana as a “unique and pioneering initiative” that has significantly enhanced community engagement in groundwater management. She stressed that in the face of climate change and a disrupted water cycle, mainstreaming such initiatives nationwide is no longer optional, but critical.
“Empowering communities for sustainable groundwater use is key to long-term water security,” she said.
Push for Mandatory Water Budgeting in Panchayats
To institutionalize community participation, the Secretary recommended making water budgeting mandatory across all Gram Panchayats. She urged states to scale up successful pilot models and replicate proven innovations to ensure deeper and lasting impact.
She also emphasized the importance of:
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Knowledge transfer between schemes and states
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Utilizing trained personnel for greater efficiency
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Developing comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) plans for all installed infrastructure and monitoring systems
Showcasing Impact: Haryana Case Study
Shri Subodh Yadav, Additional Secretary (Admin, IC & GW) and National Project Coordinator, presented an in-depth case study from Ismailpur Gram Panchayat in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district. The case demonstrated how high-frequency groundwater level data was used in local planning, showcasing real-time resource responsiveness.
An Impact Assessment by the Quality Council of India (QCI) was also presented. The third-party review identified key outcomes:
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Improved community awareness
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Greater women’s participation
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Behavioral shifts toward water-efficient crops
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Increased inclusivity and local knowledge enhancement
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Noticeable socio-economic benefits
World Bank and State Presentations
A team from the World Bank reviewed the mission’s support and acknowledged both achievements and areas requiring improvement. The World Bank urged states to fully utilize allocated funds to maximize the scheme’s effectiveness.
Participating states also shared presentations, detailing the on-ground impact of their local initiatives, providing valuable insights for replication and cross-learning.
Way Forward
The committee concluded by advising states to extend Atal Bhujal learnings to other regions to strengthen their broader groundwater management frameworks. The meeting reiterated that sustainable groundwater practices must become central to India’s climate and development agenda.
