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.