Atal Bhujal Yojana received the Excellence Award under the category - "Best Sustainable Water Management" from Hon'ble Minister of Jal Shakti during the event of 16th Water Digest Water Awards 2023, in partnership with UNESCO and supported by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on 16th March 2023 at New Delhi

Programme was inaugurated and Chaired by the Director of the Ground Water Department, Uttar Pradesh in the presence of Sh. Sujit Sinha, Team leader, NTSA, NPMU along with participants from seven States under Atal Bhujal Yojana. Opening remarks were given by Sh. V.K Upadhyay, Director, Ground Water Dept., Uttar Pradesh followed by Sh. Sujit Sinha, Dr. P.C Chandra, Retd. Sr. Geophysicist, CGWB and Sh. S.G Bhartariya, Regional Director, CGWB. The lectures and presentations started as per schedule by Sh. Upendra Srivastava, Retd. Sr Hydrogeologist, CGWB, focusing on the sustainability of resources in Village Harpura, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). Followed by Sh. Farukh Rehman Khan, State Program Director, Water Aid on Sustaining Sources through Community-led Ground Water Management - Experiences of District Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh). Sh. Pushpendra Singh, Convenor Apna Talaab Abhiyan also presented his views on the importance of Farm Ponds and the role of the Community in Behavioral Changes. Ms. Maulika Agarwal presented the scenario of Ground Water in Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Heera Lal, Retired IAS also expressed his views and efforts made by him for Water Conservation during his tenure as Banda District Magistrate. Ms. Nidhi Tripathi expressed his views and the role of Women in Water conservation. An Inter State Interactive session was also conducted which was Chaired by Sh. Sujit Sinha along with Ms. Maulika and Sh. Farukh Rehman Khan to know the practices being taken up by different States for Behavioural changes in Source Sustainability. A cultural program (Braj Ras) in the gracious presence of Sh. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, Spl. Secretary, Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh presented by Ms. Geetanjali Sharma, a renowned folk dancer who has earned a ton of National and International Awards. Day- 2 comprised two site visits. Firstly the team saw an Amrit Sarovar, In Dist. Lucknow and moved to the site of Padma Shri awardee Sh. Ram Saran Verma, who has changed the cropping pattern with his innovative techniques leading to high yield, with low consumption of water can be termed as the best example of Agro-Economics. Padma Shri awardee Sh. Uma Shankar Pandey, Jal Yodha and his rigorous efforts to make Jakhni Village as Jal Gram also joined for Field Visits.

The District Program Management Unit, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Chittorgarh has participated in the training program for FPO’s organised by the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) Limited on 13.03.2023. The training program was organised in the premises of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rithola, District Chittorgarh Rajasthan. On behalf of Atal Bhujal Yojana, Sh. Satyveer Chauhan Agriculture Specialist and Sh.Ankit Jain IEC Expert, DPMU Chittorgarh from Rajasthan participated in the training program. During the training, all the participants were given a brief introduction about Atal Bhujal Yojana and its objectives, inputs on water savings & conservation in agriculture/irrigation and detailed information on demand & supply side interventions. The total participants in the training were 65.

दिनांक २ मार्च २०२३ को जिला उद्यान विभाग, जनपद बांदा में दो दिवसीय किसान गोष्ठी/ मेला का आयोजन किया गया। किसान मेले का औपचारिक शुभारंभ माननीय सांसद श्री आर. के. पटेल, जिलाध्यक्ष भारतीय जनता पार्टी श्री संजय सिंह, ब्लॉक प्रमुख बडोखरखुर्द श्री सोनू सिंह, पद्मश्री श्री उमाशंकर पाण्डेय, मुख्य विकास अधिकारी श्री बेद प्रकाश मौर्या, डी.डी.उद्यान एवं जिला उद्यान अधिकारी ने संयुक्तन रुप से किया, किसान संगोष्ठी/ मेले मे भूगर्भ जल विभाग की तरफ से स्टाल लगाया गया। तदुपरान्त विभागों द्वारा लगायी गयी प्रदर्शनी का अवलोकन किया गया अवलोकन के दौरान मा. सांसद जी ने अटल भूजल योजना के अन्तर्गत चल रहे कार्यों की जानकारी प्राप्त की और योजना मे तेजी लाने की बात कही।अटल भूजल योजना के माध्यम से जल संचयन व सम्वर्धन के क्षेत्र में सराहनीय कार्य करने पर जलवीर के रूप में प्रति ग्राम पंचायत से एक महिला व एक पुरुष को प्रशंसा प्रमाण पत्र सरकार की मंशा के अनुरूप प्रदान किया जाना है जिसके क्रम मे प्रशंसा प्रमाण पत्र पद्मश्री एवं जल योद्धा श्री उमा शंकर पांडे एवं मुख्य विकास अधिकारी श्री वेद प्रकाश मौर्या के हाथों श्रीमती माया श्री अनिल पांडे श्री राजीव कुमार श्री उमेश तिवारी को जलवीर प्रशंसा प्रमाण पत्र देकर सम्मानित किया गया।

A two days’ National level training cum Workshop on “Participatory Groundwater Management” was organized jointly by the SPMU, Rajasthan and NPMU, New Delhi at Agricultural Research Institute, Jaipur, Rajasthan during February 21-22, 2023. A total of seventy participants including officers/experts from SPMU & DPMU from all the seven participating states participated in the training. The objective of the training programme was to orient the participants about the Participatory Groundwater Management; Institutional Framework; Behavioural Change; Water Resources Planning; Water Games for crop water budgeting, etc. The training programme was inaugurated by Sh. Mahesh Joshi, Hon’ble Minister, PHED, Government of Rajasthan. From SPMU Rajasthan, Sh. Subodh Agarwal, ACS & Project Coordinator, Sh. Surajbhan Singh, Project Director and Dr. V. N. Bhave attended the training. They shared their experiences of ground water management in such a challenging and water stressed state like Rajasthan. From NPMU, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Ms. Neety Nagi, Deputy Director, & Dr. K. K. Gaur, Social Expert, NTSA, NPMU attended the training and delivered presentations in the program. Two invited experts also delivered presentations on the participatory ground water management. Three progressive farmers shared their success stories and enlightened the participants with their challenges and experiences. Water Games, were organized by M/s Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Gujarat. An exposure visit to Village Laporia, Dudu block, District Jaipur was organized on the second day of the training program. Padamshree Lakshman Singh ji, guided the participants and showcased the efforts made by him in the field of sustainable water management through community participation. He also demonstrated the Chauka system, a water harvesting structure in the field. A visit to the best practices adopted by the farmer beneficiaries for groundwater resource management in Begus Bajeri, Jaipur district was also carried out. Drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques adopted by the farmers were showcased. During the visit, plasticulture & poly houses adopted by the group of farmers on cucumber cultivation became a point of attraction among the participants.

The District Program Management Unit, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Hanumangarh has participated in the training program for FPO’s organised by the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) Limited on 17.02.2023. The training program was organized in the premises of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ATC farm, National Highway 15, Lunkaransar, District Bikaner, Rajasthan. On behalf of Atal Bhujal Yojana, Sh. Gurmeet Singh, Agriculture Specialist and Sh. Prithvi Raj Saharan, IEC Expert, DPMU Hanumangarh from Rajasthan participated in the training program. During the training, all the participants were given a brief introduction about Atal Bhujal Yojana and its objectives, inputs on water savings & conservation in agriculture/irrigation and detailed information on demand & supply side interventions. The total participants in the training were 68.

A training program for FPO's was organised by the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) Limited in the premises of Saina Nehwal Training Center, Hisar, Haryana on 17.02.2023. On behalf of Atal Bhujal Yojana, the experts from SPMU, Haryana viz. Dr Rizvi, Agriculture Expert, SPMU; Sh. Deepak Kumar, IEC Expert, SPMU; Sh. Parul IEC Expert, DPMU Sirsa and Sh. Arshdeep Agriculture Expert, DIP of district Sirsa participated in the training program. During the training, all the participants were given a brief introduction about Atal Bhujal Yojana and its objectives, inputs on water savings & conservation in agriculture/irrigation and detailed information on demand & supply side interventions. A video prepared by SPMU, Haryana under Atal Bhujal Yojana was also displayed during the program for awareness generation about the scheme and its benefits. The total participants in the training were 70.

The officers of District Program Management Unit, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, participated in the training program for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) organized by the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) Limited on 16.02.2023. On behalf of Atal Bhujal Yojana, Sh. Dipak Karankal, Agriculture Specialist, DPMU, Jalgaon and Sh. Ashish Bhawane, Geologist, Aasha Kiran Mahila Vikas Sanstha, a DIP engaged under Atal Bhujal Yojana for Jalgaon district of Maharashtra participated in the training program. During the training, all the participants were given a brief introduction about Atal Bhujal Yojana, information on water security plans prepared at Gram Panchayat level in the district, adoption of efficient irrigation practices by the farmers for demand side management of groundwater and convergence of funds from the Government Departments. In addition, Audio/Visuals prepared under the scheme were also displayed to the participants for awareness generation about the scheme and its benefits. The program was attended by around 60 progressive farmers.

Two days of training cum workshop on 3rd & 4th Feb 2023 was organized by SPMU, Gujarat at the Conference hall of Kachchh University, Bhuj, Kachchh District, Gujarat on “Participatory Groundwater Management". The main objective of the training was to focus on community participation for groundwater management. The training also emphasized on the involvement of CRPs (Community Resource persons) in the Gram Panchayats to create awareness, sensitization, community mobilization, data collection, dissemination, behavioral change etc. within the community, on all the aspects of Atal Bhujal Yojana. A one-day full day training session on 3rd Feb, 2023 was followed by exposure visit at Gram Panchayat- Mota Angiya and Nana Angiya, Block Nakhatrana, District Kachchh on 4th Feb, 2022 to share the best practices and interflow of knowledge amongst the participating states. The officers and experts from all the seven states under Atal Bhujal Yojana, participated in the training cum workshop under overall supervision of Sh. Jitesh Tatiwal, Deputy Director and Sh. P. C. Kumawat, Agriculture Expert, NPMU, Atal Bhujal Yojana.

The third meeting of the National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) of the Atal Bhujal Yojana was held on 19.01.2023 at New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The meeting was attended by Senior Officers of 7 States where the scheme is being implemented as well as some line Departments. Special Secretary, and Joint Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR along with Principal Secretary, Uttar Pradesh and Secretaries from Karnataka and Gujarat were also present. The Committee reviewed the overall progress of the scheme and directed the States to expedite convergence for the implementation of the interventions proposed under Water Security Plans. (WSPs). Completion of majority of the WSPs was praised by the Secretary and at the same time it was emphasized that this is an iterative process and the WSPs are to be updated annually in consultation with the community. The Special Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR scored the importance of continued engagement with the community with a focus on the aim that the WSPs are to be owned by the Communities. For that regular IEC and awareness activities are to continue. The NLSC Meeting followed by wrap up of Mid Term Review by World Bank, wherein Task Team Leader for the Scheme summarized the month long Mission in terms of overall and state wise progress and challenges. All seven states also presented the best practices under Atal Bhujal Yojana which are happening in their respective State and how this scheme is bringing change in Ground Water Management.

"The World Bank & NPMU, Atal Jal team visited various Gram Panchayats under Tumkur district as part of the mid-term review mission of Atal Jal implementation in Karnataka. Sh. Ramachandraiah.BG, Project Director, Smt. Sujatha HL, Joint Director, Agriculture and staff from SPMU; Nodal officer, DPMU, Tumkur and Officials from line departments and other staff were present. Community interaction was held at Dabbegatta gram panchayat in Madhugiri block of Tumkur district on 16th January 2023. Team from World Bank and NPMU interacted with the community on their involvement in Atal Bhujal Yojana towards ground water management. Community briefed the team on the process of preparing water security plan and the progress with implementation so far through Participatory Rural Appraisal activity. The team also interacted with the community at different sites where supply and demand side activities have been taken up under convergence with line departments as well as Atal Jal incentive funds. A meeting of World Bank team with the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Tumkur and senior officials of line departments was held on 16 January 2023. World Bank team discussed the strategies for implementation of activities proposed in Water Security Plans through convergence with line departments in detail. A meeting was also held with the Project Coordinator, Sh. C. Mryuthyunjaya Swamy on 17th January, 2023 to appraise him about the overall status of the scheme implementation in the state so far, with a request to expedite the activities under the scheme in Karnataka state. The meeting was attended by Mr. Satya Priya, Sr. Water Resource Management Specialist; Mr Kullappa, Sr. Water & Sanitation Specialist from World Bank and Sh. Pratul Saxena, Project Director, NPMU; Ms. Neety Nagi, Deputy Director; Ms. Madhumanti Roy, Deputy Director from NPMU and SPMU team, Karnataka."

"The Mid-Term Review Mission of the World Bank was held on January 12, 2023 at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. World Bank Representative along with NPMU team held discussions with the officers of SPMU, Line Departments, DIPs , SIRD, etc. A wrap-up meeting was also held with the Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources. During the discussions, it was suggested that due efforts are needed to be imparted for optimum utilization of Incentive amount released to the state under the scheme. Similarly, progress made under DLI#3 & DLI#4 i.e. convergence of funds and enhancement of area under efficient irrigation system is also required to be increased and accordingly. Dissemination of IEC materials developed under the scheme, shall be prioritized for creating awareness among the community"

"Under the Mid Term Review Mission, the World Bank and NPMU team visited SPMU Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on 10th January 2023. Important issues pertaining to the State were discussed in detail including the Fiduciary aspect, incentive fund utilization, convergence, Training and IEC progress and progress review of various activities of DIP (District Implementation Partner). Representatives from various line departments, State level officers, SPMU/DPMU officers/officials, Subject experts and District Implementation Partner (DIP) officials were present in the meeting. The wrap-up meeting was chaired by Mr. S.N. Mishra (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resource Department (WRD) Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, with NPMU, SPMU and World Bank representatives regarding follow-up action to achieve project objectives and targets. The team also visited the Berkhedi Guru Gram Panchayat, block Sagar, district Sagar and interacted with Sarpanch and gram panchayat’s people regarding their Water Security plan and proposed interventions. The team also met DM/CEO Zila panchayat & officers of the line department to discuss the overall progress of Atal Jal in Sagar District. On the second day i.e. on 11th January 2023, the team visited Gram Panchayat Bachalon, block Sagar District Sagar to monitor the field activities and interacted with the VWSC members, women's, and representatives from the community.

Dated: 05/01/2023 The World Bank team and the Officers of NPMU, New Delhi visited 2 Gps of Maharashtra State. GP. Khedi Gowargondi and GP. Khrusapar in Katol and Narkhed Blocks of Nagpur district, Maharashtra for Mid Term review of the implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana. They held a meeting with the District Collector of Nagpur and discussed key issues of the scheme focusing on convergence under DLI#3. A meeting was also held with all Senior geologists from DPMUs and DIP coordinators. Detailed discussions were held on various aspects of the scheme. Dr. C. P. Bhoyar, Nodal officer of Atal Bhujal Yojana, SPMU, Maharashtra presented the progress of the Atal scheme. Shri Chintamani Joshi, Commissioner & Project Director, Atal Bhujal Yojana, GSDA, SPMU Maharashtra facilitated the World Bank team members Sh. Satya Priya (TTL), Ms. Janet, (WRMS), Sh. M. Kullappa (SWSS) and NPMU dignitaries Sh. Pratul Saxena, Project Director & Dr. Umesh Balpande, Director, NPMU. On 6th January 2023 The World Bank Team and the officers of NPMU held a meeting in Mumbai with all line Departments of the State under the Atal Bhujal Yojana on the virtual platform. Sh. Rajesh Kumar (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Rural development and panchayat Raj of Maharashtra, holding the additional charge of Principal Secretary W.S.S.D. along with the Commissioner GSDA and all senior officers were present in the meeting. The progress of convergence of funds by various line departments/schemes for the year 2022-23 under DLI # 3 and targets under V/s. achievement under DLI # 4 was discussed in detail. 5th January 2023

World Bank and NPMU team visited Gujarat during 3-4th January 2023 with an objective to assess the ground level situation on all the aspects of the scheme under the Mid-Term review mission. The visit comprised of the field visit and meeting with the high-level officials and SPMU, DPMUs and DIP team. On the first day, the team visited recharge structure at Sant Sarovar, Piezometer site at Badpura GP in Gandhinagar district and Recharge Tube well system at Umta GP in Mehsana district. In addition, the team also held interaction with PGWMC members at Badpura GP and Laxmipura GP to ascertain awareness about Atal Bhujal Yojana and the process of formulation of water security plan including the proposed interventions for sustainable groundwater management. The interactions with the participants also revealed that there is good sensitization amongst the women. The team also interacted with the District Collector, Mehsana and representatives from the line departments on the technical aspects. One of the DIPs, Arid communication & Technologies, Bhuj made a presentation of sharing of best practices applied by them for preparation of WSPs in Nakhatrana taluka of Kachchh district. The team felt that the alternative practice needs to be evaluated against the practice of WSP preparation as envisaged in the MIS of Atal Jal. On the second day, the team held detailed discussions with the Project Director on the fiduciary aspects. The team members also interacted with SPMU and DPMU experts to ensure adherence to timelines of different activities. The team also held a wrap up meeting with the Special Secretary (WR) and Project Coordinator, Atal Jal Gujarat, Additional Secretary & Chief Engineer (P), Additional Secretary & Chief Engineer (CG) along with the Project Director Atal Jal and Adviser GWRDC.

The World Bank mid-term review of Rajasthan State was held from 21st to 22nd December 2022 under Atal Bhujal Yojana. The World Bank and NPMU team visited two Gram Panchayats in Dausa district viz. Khanwas Gram Panchayat of Nangal Rajawatan block and Alooda Gram Panchayat in Lawan Block. The team had detailed discussions with Gram Panchayat officials and VWSC members on the preparation of the water budget and water security plan for their respective Gram Panchayat. The team also conducted meetings with officials of Line Departments at Dausa.

Sh. Satya Priya (Task Team Leader, World Bank), Sh. Pratul Saxena (Project Director - NPMU, Atal Jal), Sh. M. K. Goyal (State Coordinator - World Bank), Sh. Anil Das (Operation Specialist - World Bank), Smt. Akansha Kushwaha (Assistant Director - NPMU, Atal Jal), Sh. Basant Pandey, Finance Expert, NPMU, Sh. Jitender NPMU Atal Jal, visited the Jhaguri & Dholi Gram Panchayat, Yamuna nagar (Haryana) with the facilitation of SPMU, DPMU & DIP team. During the visit, the inauguration of the Piezometer was done by the World Bank & NPMU team in Gram Panchayat Jhaguri & Dholi. The Water Quality test & use of Water level indicator was done by the VWSC members Smt. Santosh Devi in Jhaguri GP and Smt. Reetu Devi. The community members also discussed the Water Security Plan interventions with the team. The World Bank Team & NPMU team also visited the fields of progressive farmers and saw the implementation of Drip & Sprinkler. After the field visit, the World Bank & NPMU team with the facilitation of SPMU, DPMU & DIP team had a meeting with the line departments in the chairmanship of DC Yamuna nagar. From SPMU, Sh. Parmod Jain, SE, Sh. Mandeep XEN, Sh. Rahul Bhardwag, SDO, Sh. Sumit Kumar, SDO, Sh. Vinay Kumar, Hydrogeologist, Dr Prabhat Semeal, Groundwater Expert, Dr. Rizvi Agriculture Expert, Sh. Rahul Sharma, Consultant, Sh. Deepak Kumar, IEC Expert, Sh. Ankit Saxena, Water Conservation Experts were present. From DPMU, Sh. Ravi Mittal - SE, Sh. Surinder Kumar, XEN, Sh. Gurinder, SDO MICADA and the whole DIP team were present. 19th December, 2022,