'Water levels up in 255 gram panchayats in Karnataka due to Atal Bhujal Yojana implementation'

New Delhi: The Centre has informed Rajya Sabha that total 255 gram panchayats in 18 blocks in Karnataka have shown a rise in water levels in the year 2023 due to various factors, including interventions made under centrally sponsored Atal Bhujal Yojana.

Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in his written reply said that Jal Shakti Ministry was implementing Atal Bhujal Yojana, a xentral sector scheme with a total outlay of Rs 6,000 crore in 8,203 water stressed Gram Panchayats (GPs) of 229 administrative Blocks/ Talukas in 80 districts of 7 States including Karnataka for a period of 6 years from 2020.

In Karnataka, the scheme is being taken up in 1,199 water-stressed Gram Panchayats of 41 Administrative blocks in 14 districts, the minister said while replying to Congress member Syed Naseer Hussain.

Total Rs 1,201 crore allocated to the state under the scheme and in which Rs 609 crore was spent. An area of around 1.82 lakh hectares has been brought under efficient water use practices including drip, sprinkler, mulching, crop diversification, the minister said.

Rural roads

Minister of State for Ministry of Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan said that in Karnataka at present survey for eligible unconnected habitations under Pradhan

Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - IV (PMGSY-IV) is being carried by the States including Karnataka with the use of Gram Sadak Survey App.

Replying to BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya, the Minister said the scheme will be implemented during 2024-25 to 2028-29.

Atal Innovation Mission

Minister for State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Rao Indrajit Singh has informed Rajya Sabha that Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has established a total of 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country, out of which 798 ATLs have been established in Karnataka.

Replying to Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade question, the Minister said that the ATL was a dedicated workspace where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands-on ‘do-it-yourself’ mode; and learn innovation skills.