Every year, on the 25th of December, India observes Good Governance Day in remembrance of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This special day is marked with the launch and implementation of several initiatives by the Indian government.
Introduction to Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL)
ATAL JAL, an initiative worth Rs.6,000 crore, was launched as a central sector scheme aimed at promoting sustainable management of groundwater with community participation over a course of five years. It is primarily designed with a focus on demand-side management and is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, formerly known as the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation.
The Atal Bhujal Yojana is funded on a 50:50 basis by the Government of India and the World Bank. Any loan component received from the World Bank, along with central assistance, is distributed to the states as grants. States such as Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have been identified for the implementation of this scheme based on their groundwater exploitation and degradation, existing legal and regulatory instruments, institutional preparedness, and past experience in implementing groundwater management initiatives.
Features and Importance of the Atal Tunnel
The Atal tunnel, situated under the Rohtang Pass, is recognized as the world’s longest tunnel above an altitude of 3,000 meters. With a length of 8.8 kilometers, it includes a built-in fireproof emergency tunnel. The Rohtang Pass, where the tunnel is located, rises west of the same in the Kullu hills of Himachal Pradesh.
Significantly, the tunnel works as a bridge connecting the Kullu Valley with Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti Valleys. It provides all-weather connectivity to remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, which are usually inaccessible for around six months during winters due to harsh weather conditions. Furthermore, this tunnel is expected to significantly boost tourism in the region.
About the Good Governance Index (GGI)
Launched by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, the Good Governance Index intends to determine the status of governance in India by assessing the impact of various initiatives and strategies implemented by the State Government and Union Territories (UTs).
| Objectives of GGI |
|---|
| Provide quantifiable data to compare the State of Governance in the States and UTs. |
| Enable States and UTs to formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance. |
| Shift to result-oriented approaches and administration. |
The GGI focuses on ten key sectors: Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Commerce & Industries, Human Resource Development, Public Health, Public Infrastructure & Utilities, Economic Governance, Social Welfare & Development, Judicial & Public Security, Environment, and Citizen-Centric Governance.
Assessment and Findings of Good Governance Index
The States and Union Territories (UTs) are divided into three categories: Big States, North-East and Hill States, and Union Territories for comprehensive assessment. According to the findings of GGI, Tamil Nadu topped the Big States category, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. Meanwhile, in the category of North-East and Hill States, Himachal Pradesh ranked first, followed by Uttarakhand and Tripura. Among Union Territories, Puducherry emerged as the best-governed UT.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A Brief Overview
Born on December 25, 1924, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a prominent political figure in the Indian landscape. His entry into national politics occurred during the Quit India Movement of 1942, an event that significantly hastened the end of British colonial rule. He served as Prime Minister of India twice and remains the only leader after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to have achieved this feat. Recognized nine times by the Lok Sabha and twice by the Rajya Sabha, Vajpayee was named India’s ‘Best Parliamentarian’ in 1994. He was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2015, and the second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, in 1994.
