Balarampur, Purulia (community development block)

Balarampur is a community development block (CD block) that forms an administrative division in the Purulia Sadar subdivision of the Purulia district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

For disambiguation, see Balarampur.
Balarampur
Community development block
Balarampur
Location in West Bengal
Coordinates: 23°05′48″N 86°13′05″E
Country India
StateWest Bengal
DistrictPurulia
Parliamentary constituencyPurulia
Assembly constituencyBaghmundi
Area
 • Total300.88 km2 (116.17 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total137,950
 • Density407/km2 (1,050/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialBengali, Santali, English
Time zoneUTC+5.30 (IST)
Telephone/STD code03254
Vehicle registrationWB-55, WB-56
Literacy Rate60.40%
Websitehttp://purulia.gov.in/

History

Background

The Jaina Bhagavati-Sutra of the 5th century AD mentions that Purulia was one of the sixteen mahajanapadas and was a part of the kingdom known as Vajra-bhumi in ancient times. In 1833, the Manbhum district was carved out of the Jungle Mahals district, with headquarters at Manbazar. In 1838, the headquarters was transferred to Purulia. After independence, when Manbhum district was a part of Bihar, efforts were made to impose Hindi on the Bengali-speaking majority of the district and it led to the Bengali Language Movement (Manbhum). In 1956, the Manbhum district was partitioned between Bihar and West Bengal under the States Reorganization Act and the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act 1956.[1][2]

Red corridor

106 districts spanning 10 states across India, described as being part of the Left Wing Extremism activities, constitutes the Red corridor. In West Bengal the districts of the Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and Birbhum are part of the Red corridor. However, as of July 2016, there had been no reported incidents of Maoist related activities from these districts for the previous 4 years.[3]

The CPI (Maoist) extremism affected CD blocks in the Purulia district were: Jhalda I, Jhalda II, Arsha, Baghmundi, Balarampur, Barabazar, Manbazar II and Bandwan.[4] Certain reports also included Manbazar I and Joypur CD Blocks and some times indicted the whole of Purulia district.[5]

The Lalgarh movement, which started attracting attention after the failed assassination attempt on Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, then chief minister of West Bengal, in the Salboni area of the Paschim Medinipur district, on 2 November 2008 and the police action that followed, had also spread over to these areas.[6] The movement was not just a political struggle but an armed struggle that concurrently took the look of a social struggle. A large number of CPI (M) activists were killed. Although the epi-centre of the movement was Lalgarh, it was spread across 19 police stations in three adjoining districts – Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia, all thickly forested and near the border with Jharkhand. The deployment of CRPF and other forces started on 11 June 2009. The movement came to an end after the 2011 state assembly elections and change of government in West Bengal. The death of Kishenji, the Maoist commander, on 24 November 2011 was the last major landmark.[6][7]

Geography
CD blocks in Purulia district

Tentlo, a constituent panchayat of Balarampur block, is located at 23°05′48″N 86°13′05″E.

The Balarampur CD block is located in the southern part of the district. The Bagmundi-Bandwan uplands is an area that has descended from the Ranchi Plateau. In the Baghmundi and Balarampur areas, the Ajodhya Hills form the main highlands, forming the drainage divide between the basins of the Subrnarekha and the Kangsabati. The elevation ranges from 475 to 700 m.[8]

The Balarampur CD block is bounded by the Arsha CD block on the north, the Barabazar CD block on the east and on the south, the Nimdih CD block, in the Seraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand and the Baghmundi CD block on the west.[9]

The Balarampur CD block has an area of 300.88 km2. It has 1 panchayat samity, 7 gram panchayats, 92 gram sansads (village councils), 90 mouzas, 89 inhabited villages and 1 census town. Balarampur police station serves this block.[10] Headquarters of this CD block is at Baghadih.[11]

Gram panchayats of the Balarampur block/panchayat samiti are: Balarampur, Bara-Urma, Bela, Darda, Genrua, Ghatbera-Kerowa and Tentlo.[12]

Demographics

Population

According to the 2011 Census of India the Balarampur CD block had a total population of 137,950, of which 113,519 were rural and 24,431 were urban. There were 70,995 (51%) males and 66,955 (49%) females. There were 20,118 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The Scheduled Castes numbered 16,427 (11.91%) and the Scheduled Tribes numbered 43,738 (31.71%).[13]

According to the 2001 census, the Balarampur CD block had a total population of 118,071, out of which 60,424 were males and 57,647 were females. The Balarampur CD block registered a population growth of 14.27 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the Purulia district was 13.96 per cent.[14] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.[15]

Census Towns in the Balarampur CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Balarampur (24,431).[13]

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in the Balarampur CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Genrua (6,454).[13]

Other villages in the Balarampur CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Bela (3,436), Darda (2,619), Tentlo (2,924), Ghatbera (1,858) and Keraya (2,140).[13]

Literacy

According to the 2011 census the total number of literate persons in the Balarampur CD block was 71,176 (60.40% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 44,950 (74.18% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 26,226 (45.82%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 28.35%.[13]

See also – List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate

Language and religion

In the 2001 census, Bengali was the mother tongue for 76.6% of the population of the district, followed by Santali 11.4%, Kurmali Thar 7.7%, Hindi 1.9%, Urdu 1.1%, Khortha/ Khotta 0.3%, Telugu 0.2%, Odia 0.1%, Mundari 0.1% and other languages 0.4%.[16]

There is a tribal presence in many of the CD blocks of the district. Santali was spoken by around 14% of the population of the earlier Manbhum district. Some people also speak Mundari or Kolarian languages such as Kurmali, Mundari and the languages of the Bhumij or Mahli communities.[17]

The West Bengal Official Language (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012, included Hindi, Santhali, Odiya and Punjabi as official languages if it is spoken by a population exceeding 10 per cent of the whole in a particular block or sub-division or a district. Subsequently, Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi and Kurmali were also included in the list of minority languages by the West Bengal Official Language (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018.[18][19] However, as of 2020, there is no official / other reliable information about the areas covered.

Religion in Balarampur CD block
Hindu
 
 78.89%
Muslim
 
 5.77%
Christian
 
 0.47%
Others
 
 14.87%

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 108,829 and formed 78.89% of the population in the Balarampur CD block. Muslims numbered 7,966 and formed 5.77% of the population. Christians numbered 648 and formed 0.47% of the population. Others numbered 20,507 and formed 14.87% of the population.[20] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,[21] and other religious communities.[20]

Rural Poverty

According to the Rural Household Survey in 2005, 32.85% of total number of families were BPL families in Purulia district.[22] According to a World Bank report, as of 2012, 31-38% of the population in Purulia, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur districts were below poverty level, the highest among the districts of West Bengal, which had an average 20% of the population below poverty line.[23]

Economy

Livelihood

Livelihood
in Balarampur CD block

  Cultivators (21.76%)
  Agricultural labourers (31.73%)
  Household industries (2.68%)
  Other Workers (37.83%)

In the Balarampur CD block in 2011, among the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 12,333 and formed 21.76%, agricultural labourers numbered 21,384 and formed 31.73%, household industry workers numbered 1,517 and formed 2.68% and other workers numbered 21,441 and formed 37.83%.[24] Total workers numbered 56,675 and formed 41.08% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 81,275 and formed 58.92% of the population.[25]

Note: In the census records a person is considered a cultivator, if the person is engaged in cultivation/ supervision of land owned by self/government/institution. When a person who works on another person's land for wages in cash or kind or share, is regarded as an agricultural labourer. Household industry is defined as an industry conducted by one or more members of the family within the household or village, and one that does not qualify for registration as a factory under the Factories Act. Other workers are persons engaged in some economic activity other than cultivators, agricultural labourers and household workers. It includes factory, mining, plantation, transport and office workers, those engaged in business and commerce, teachers, entertainment artistes and so on.[26]

Infrastructure

There are 89 inhabited villages in the Balarampur CD block, as per the District Census Handbook, Puruliya, 2011. 87 villages (97.95%) have power supply. 89 villages (100%) have drinking water supply. 14 villages (15.73%) have post offices. 78 villages (87.64%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 22 villages (24.72%) have pucca (paved) approach roads and 24 villages (26.97%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 6 villages (6.74%) have agricultural credit societies and 4 villages (4.49%) have banks.[27]

Agriculture

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in the Balarampur CD block could be classified as follows: bargadars 0.71%, patta (document) holders 17.62%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 6.65%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 24.10% and agricultural labourers 50.92%.[28]

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in the Balarampur CD block was 7,591.73 hectares, out of which 3,393.61 hectares was by canal irrigation, 3,736.67 hectares by tank water, 61.57 hectares by river lift irrigation, 99.80 hectares by open dug wells and 300.00 hectares by other means.[28]

In 2013-14, the Balarampur CD block produced 74,401 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 30,034 hectares, 334 tonnes of Boro paddy, the spring crop, from 113 hectares, 299 tonnes of wheat from 125 hectares, 373 tonnes of maize from 133 hectares and 1,475 tonnes of potato from 75 hectares. It also produced maskalai, mustard and til.[28]

Banking

In 2013-14, the Balarampur CD block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 1 gramin bank.[28]

Backward Regions Grant Fund

The Purulia district is listed as a backward region and receives financial support from the Backward Regions Grant Fund. The fund, created by the Government of India, is designed to redress regional imbalances in development. As of 2012, 272 districts across the country were listed under this scheme. The list includes 11 districts of West Bengal.[29][30]

Transport

In 2013-14, the Balarampur CD block had 4 originating/ terminating bus routes.[28]

The National Highway 18 running from its crossing with the NH 19 at Govindpur, Dhanbad district, Jharkhand to Balshwar, Odisha, crosses the State Highway 4 running from Jhalda (in the Purulia district) to Junput (in the Purba Medinipur district) at Balarampur.[31][32]

The Adra-Chandil section of the Asansol-Tatanagar-Kharagpur line of the South Eastern Railway passes through this CD block and there are stations at Barabhum and Biramdih.[33]

Education

In 2013-14, the Balarampur CD block had 126 primary schools with 13,537 students, 20 middle schools with 934 students and 10 higher secondary schools with 13,938 students. The Balarampur CD block had 1 general college with 1,862 students and 377 institutions with 7,860 students for special and non-formal education.[28]

See also – Education in India

According to the 2011 census, in Balarampur CD block, amongst the 89 inhabited villages, 5 villages did not have a school, 36 villages had two or more primary schools, 35 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 8 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.[34]

Balarampur College was established at Rangadih in 1985.[35]

Healthcare

In 2014, the Balarampur CD block had 1 rural hospital, 3 primary health centres and 1 private nursing home, with total 67 beds and 8 doctors. 10,255 patients were treated indoor and 250,414 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.[28]

Bansgarh Rural Hospital, with 30 beds at Rangadih, is the major government facility in the Balarampur CD block. There are primary health centres at Kerwa (with 10 beds), Nekray (with 6 beds) and Malti (with 6 beds).[36][37] Gandhi Memorial Hospital at Bansgarh, with 15 beds, is run by a NGO.[38]

References
  1. "Historical background". Purulia District. Archived from the original on 2008-01-03. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  2. "Historical Event: Bhasa Andolan". Department of Information and Cultural Affairs. Purulia.nic.in. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  3. Singh, Vijayita. "Red Corridor to be redrawn". The Hindu, 25 July 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  4. "IAP improving lives in Maoist-affected areas". Ideas for India. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  5. "Maoists observe 24 hr bandh in five states". UNI, One India. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  6. "Lalgarh Battle". Frontline. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  7. "Kishenji's death a serious blow to Maoist movement". The Hindu. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  8. "District Census Handbook Puruliya" (PDF). pages 11,12. Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  9. "Purulia district". Blocks in Purulia district. Purulia district administration. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  10. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purulia". Tables 2.1, 2.2. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  11. "District Census Handbook: Puruliya" (PDF). Map of District Puruliya with CD block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page). Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  12. "Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal". Paschim Medinipur - Revised in March 2008. Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  13. "C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  14. "Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Puruliya District". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  15. "Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  16. "District Census Handbook Puruliya, Series 20, Part XXA" (PDF). page 44: Mother tongue. Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  17. "Bengal District Gazetteers - Manbhum by H. Coupland, ICS". Section 72, First Published 1911. University of California, San Diego. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  18. "Multilingual Bengal". The Telegraph, 11 December 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  19. "Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi make it to the list of official languages in Bengal". Outlook, 28 February 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  20. "C1 Population by Religious Community". West Bengal. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  21. "ST-14 A Details Of Religions Shown Under 'Other Religions And Persuasions' In Main Table". West Bengal. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  22. "West Bengal Summary". Rural Household Survey 2005. Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  23. "West Bengal: Poverty, Growth and Inequality" (PDF). World Bank Group. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  24. "District Census Handbook Puruliya, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Table 33: Distribution of Workers by Sex in Four Categories of Economic Activity in Sub-district 2011. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  25. "District Census Handbook Puruliya, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Table 30: Number and percentage of Main workers, Marginal workers and Non workers by Sex, in Sub-districts, 2011. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  26. "District Census Handbook Puruliya, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Census Concepts and Definitions, Page 23. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  27. "District Census Handbook, Puruliya, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Page 79, Table 36: Distribution of villages according to availability of different amenities, 2011. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  28. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purulia". Tables 8.2, 17.2, 18.2, 18.1, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.3 – arranged as per use. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  29. "Backward Regions Grant Funds: Programme Guidelines" (PDF). Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  30. "Backward Regions Grant Fund". Press Release, 14 June 2012. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  31. "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways" (PDF). New Delhi: Department of Road Transport and Highways. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  32. "List of State Highways in West Bengal". West Bengal Traffic Police. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  33. "63594 Asansol-Purulia MEMU". Time Table. indiarailinfo. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  34. "District Census Handbook, Puruliya, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Page 976-77, Appendix I A: Villages by number of Primary Schools and Appendix I B: Villages by Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  35. "Balarampur College". BC. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  36. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics – Rural Hospitals. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  37. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics – Primary Health Centres. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  38. "Purulia.nic.in". Health. District administration. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
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