<h4>Bhu-Neer Portal: A Digital Initiative for Groundwater Regulation</h4><p>The <strong>Bhu-Neer portal</strong> was officially launched by the <strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti</strong> during the <strong>8th India Water Week-2024</strong>. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing <strong>groundwater regulation</strong> across India.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>The primary aim of the <strong>Bhu-Neer portal</strong> is to improve <strong>groundwater regulation</strong>, ensuring <strong>transparency, efficiency,</strong> and <strong>sustainability</strong> in its usage throughout the country.</p></div><h4>Development and Collaboration</h4><p>The portal is a collaborative effort, developed by the <strong>Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)</strong>, which operates under the <strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti</strong>. They partnered with the <strong>National Informatics Centre (NIC)</strong> for its technical implementation.</p><div class='info-box'><p>The <strong>Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)</strong> was constituted under the <strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986</strong>. Its mandate is to regulate and control the development and management of <strong>groundwater resources</strong> in India.</p></div><div class='info-box'><p>The <strong>National Informatics Centre (NIC)</strong>, established in <strong>1976</strong>, is a crucial builder of <strong>e-government applications</strong> and a promoter of <strong>digital opportunities</strong>. It functions under the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)</strong>.</p></div><h4>Key Features of Bhu-Neer Portal</h4><p>The <strong>Bhu-Neer portal</strong> integrates several functionalities designed to streamline groundwater management and compliance.</p><ul><li>It provides a <strong>centralised database</strong> for all <strong>groundwater compliance</strong> and related policies.</li><li>The portal significantly enhances the <strong>Ease of Doing Business</strong> by simplifying various aspects of <strong>groundwater regulation</strong>.</li><li>Users benefit from a <strong>user-friendly interface</strong>, featuring a <strong>Permanent Account Number (PAN)-based single ID system</strong> for seamless access.</li><li>It facilitates <strong>NOC (No Objection Certificate) generation</strong>, complete with a <strong>QR code</strong>, ensuring streamlined and verifiable processes.</li></ul><div class='exam-tip-box'><p>For UPSC, understand how <strong>Bhu-Neer</strong> exemplifies <strong>e-governance</strong> in resource management and contributes to <strong>sustainable development goals</strong>. Connect it to topics like <strong>water scarcity</strong> and <strong>environmental protection</strong>.</p></div>