Atal Bhujal Yojana

The Atal Bhujal Yojana in Maharashtra covers 1,442 villages from 1,133 Gram Panchayats located in 73 watersheds across 13 districts of the state. It mainly includes Gram Panchayats in over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical watershed areas where groundwater levels are declining.

The total approved financial outlay for the scheme is ₹925.77 crore (₹188.26 crore for institutional strengthening and capacity building + ₹737.51 crore as incentive grants). The revised approved total outlay stands at ₹965.15 crore, with ₹185.06 crore allocated for institutional capacity building and ₹780.09 crore under incentive grants, all to be provided by the Central Government.

Initially planned for the five-year period from 2020 to 2025, the scheme has been extended until March 2026 to ensure effective implementation and completion of pending activities.

Key Result Areas (Disbursement-Linked Indicators – DLIs):

DLI #1 – Public Disclosure of Groundwater Data:

Groundwater data from the Central Ground Water Board and the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency has been made publicly accessible.

• Target: 2,106
• Achieved: 3,594 (170.66%)

DLI #2 – Preparation of Water Security Plans through Community Participation:
Water security plans, including measures for water conservation and groundwater recharge, have been prepared for all 1,133 Gram Panchayats under the scheme.

• Target: 1,133
• Achieved: 1,133 (100%)

DLI #3 – Convergence with Other Departmental Schemes:

Approved activities from the Water Security Plans are being implemented through convergence with various Central and State Government schemes.

• Target: ₹738.20 crore
• Achieved: ₹1,056.63 crore (143.14%) (as of March 2025)

DLI #4 – Efficient Use of Water:

Efforts are being made to increase efficient water use through initiatives such as micro-irrigation, moisture-retention techniques, and crop pattern planning based on water availability.

• Target: 75,000 hectares
• Achieved: 2,63,488.37 hectares (351%) (as of March 2025)

DLI #5 – Arresting Groundwater Depletion:

Comparative analysis of groundwater assessments for 2023 and 2024 shows improvement in groundwater extraction rates in 38 out of 43 talukas and 71 out of 73 watersheds under the scheme.
Positive changes in groundwater categorization were observed in 11 out of 43 talukas and 25 out of 73 watersheds.

Training and Capacity Building:

100% training has been completed at the state, district, taluka, and Gram Panchayat levels. Over the past three years, 22,781 training sessions have been conducted across the 1,133 Gram Panchayats, covering topics such as:

• Community-led groundwater management
• Preparation and implementation of water security plans
• Formation and management of farmer producer companies
• Implementation of plans through convergence with government schemes
• Water-saving technologies and crop planning
• Social audits, water budgeting, and water literacy

Through these programs, over 5 lakh rural residents have received training.

Incentive Grants:

As of March 2025, the state has spent ₹513.20 crore (93.72%) out of the ₹547.56 crore received. The remaining funds have been returned to the Central Government.

Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building:

Out of the ₹76.26 crore received, ₹76.01 crore (99.68%) has been utilized by March 2025. The remaining amount has been returned to the Central Government.

Atal Bhujal Yojana – Maharashtra

Sr. No.	Component / Subject	Information / Progress Details
1	Area of Operation	13 districts, 73 watershed areas, 1,133 Gram Panchayats (1,442 villages)
2	Target Area	Over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical watershed regions
3	Duration	2020 to 2025 (extended up to March 2026)
4	Revised Total Financial Outlay	₹965.15 crore
	– Institutional Capacity Building	₹185.06 crore
	– Incentive Grants	₹780.09 crore

DLI indicators

DLI No.	Subject	Target	Achievement	Percentage (%)
DLI#1	Public Disclosure of Groundwater Data	2,106	3,594	170.66%
DLI#2	Preparation of Water Security Plans	1,133 Gram Panchayats	1,133 Gram Panchayats	100%
DLI#3	Convergence with Government Schemes	₹738.20 crore	₹1,056.63 crore	143.14%
DLI#4	Area under Efficient Water Use	75,000 hectares	2,63,488.37 hectares	351%
DLI#5	Improvement in Groundwater Levels	38 out of 43 Talukas, 71 out of 73 Watershed Areas	Positive Changes Observed	–

 

Capacity Building and trainings

Component	Details
Level of Training	State, District, Taluka, and Gram Panchayat levels
Training Sessions (in 3 years)	22,781 sessions conducted across 1,133 Gram Panchayats
Beneficiaries	More than 5 lakh rural residents trained

Fund utilization

Type of Fund	Amount Received	Amount Spent	Percentage Utilized
Incentive Grant	₹547.56 crore	₹513.20 crore	93.72%
Institutional Capacity Building	₹76.26 crore	₹76.01 crore	99.68%

Beneficiary:

--

Benefits:

Increasing micro-irrigation in the area covered under the Atal Bhujal Yojana.