In News:

The Bhu-Neer Portal, launched in 2024 during the 8th India Water Week by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is a digital initiative developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It represents a significant reform in the regulation and management of groundwater extraction in India.

Background:

• CGWA: Constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, regulates and controls the development and management of groundwater resources in the country.
• NIC: Established in 1976, under MeitY, it supports e-Governance and digital platforms for sustainable development.
• The portal replaces the earlier NOCAP system, offering a more transparent, user-friendly, and efficient mechanism for granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater abstraction.

Objectives:

• To provide a centralised, transparent, and efficient platform for groundwater regulation.
• To ensure compliance with the Guidelines of September 24, 2020 on groundwater abstraction.
• To promote sustainability by integrating water conservation measures such as rooftop rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment plants.

Key Features:

• PAN-based Single ID System for ease of access and integration with payment gateways.
• QR code-enabled NOCs for secure and quick verification.
• Online charges calculator for transparency in fee structures.
• Eligibility checker before filing applications.
• Query module for real-time interaction with CGWA officials.
• SMS and email alerts to track application status.
• Centralised database for groundwater compliance, policies, and monitoring.

Scope:

• Applicable in 19 States/UTs where groundwater regulation is under CGWA’s jurisdiction.
• Covers industries, infrastructure, and mining projects seeking to abstract groundwater.

Significance:

• Strengthens enforcement of groundwater guidelines, curbing indiscriminate extraction.
• Enhances Ease of Doing Business by streamlining NOC procedures.
• Promotes water-use efficiency and sustainable management of depleting groundwater resources.
• Facilitates greater transparency and accountability in resource governance.

Awareness & Outreach:

• The Ministry has organized workshops with industry bodies and Public Interaction Programmes (PIPs) to promote adoption of the portal among stakeholders.

In News:

• Minister of Jal Shakti, digitally launched the “Bhu-Neer” portal during the India Water Week 2024.
• Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Key Highlights:

• Purpose of the Portal:

• Centralized platform for managing and regulating groundwater resources across India.
• Aims to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in groundwater usage, facilitating easier access to groundwater withdrawal permits.

Key Features:

• User-Friendly Interface: Simplified interface to streamline the application process for groundwater withdrawal.
• PAN-Based Single ID System: Allows seamless user registration, providing a unique identification for all stakeholders.
• NOC with QR Code: Enables verifiable and trackable compliance documents, ensuring authenticity.
• Improved Version: An enhanced version compared to the previous NOCAP system, with improved efficiency and features.
• Streamlined Process Flow: Simplifies the process for obtaining groundwater withdrawal permits.

Goals and Benefits:

• Promotes the sustainable use of groundwater and ensures compliance with legal frameworks at state and national levels.
• Supports Ease of Doing Business: Aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision by making the groundwater regulation process seamless and faceless, reducing bureaucratic delays.

Public Accessibility:

• The portal is now live and accessible to both project proponents and the general public.
• It offers services such as groundwater withdrawal related queries, tracking applications, and payment of statutory charges.

Impact on Groundwater Management:

• The platform is expected to bring improved groundwater regulation by providing centralized access to policies, compliance details, and sustainable practices related to groundwater use.
• It will contribute significantly to monitoring and sustainable management of India’s groundwater resources, crucial in light of increasing water scarcity.

Vision of the Portal:

• In line with the government’s broader goals of digitalization, transparency, and environmental sustainability, the “Bhu-Neer” portal marks a significant step in efficient water resource management.