Nagrakata (community development block)

Nagrakata is a community development block (CD block) that forms an administrative division in the Malbazar subdivision of the Jalpaiguri district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Nagrakata
Community development block
Hila Tea Garden in Nagrakata CD block
Nagrakata
Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates: 26.881°N 88.905°E / 26.881; 88.905
Country India
StateWest Bengal
DistrictJalpaiguri
Area
 • Total397.48 km2 (153.47 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total127,397
 • Density320/km2 (830/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialBengali, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Telephone code03565
Sex ratio974 ♂/♀
Lok Sabha constituencyAlipurduars
Vidhan Sabha constituencyNagrakata
Websitejalpaiguri.gov.in

Geography

Nagrakata is located at 26°52′52″N 88°54′18″E.

The Nagrakata CD block lies in the north-central part of the district. The Murti River flows along the eastern boundary. The Jaldhaka River and Gatia River flow through the CD block. It has hilly terrain which is part of the sub-Himalayan ranges.[1][2]

The Nagrakata CD block is bounded by the Samtse District of Bhutan on the north, Dhupguri on the east, Maynaguri CD block on the south and Matiali CD block on the west.[2]

The Nagrakata CD block has an area of 397.48 km2. It has 1 panchayat samity, 5 gram panchayats, 91 gram sansads (village councils), 34 mouzas and 33 inhabited villages. Nagrakta police station serves this block.[3] Headquarters of this CD block is at Nagrakata.[2]

Gram panchayats of Nagrakata block/ panchayat samiti are: Angrabhasa I, Angrabhasa II, Champaguri, Luksan and Sulkapara.[4]

Demographics

Population

According to the 2011 Census of India, the Nagrakata CD block had a total population of 127,397, all of which were rural. There were 64,133 (50%) males and 63,234 (50%) females. There were 16,991 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The Scheduled Castes numbered 17,626 (13.84%) and the Scheduled Tribes numbered 62,624 (49.16%).[5]

According to the 2001 census, Nagrakata block had a total population of 119,556, out of which 60,561 were males and 58,995 were females. Nagrakata block registered a population growth of 17.46 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade.[6]

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in the Nagrakata CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Jiti Tea Garden (5,588), Hope Tea Garden (4,076), Naya Saili Tea Garden (5,446), Nagrakata Tea Garden (4,598), Sukhanibasti (4,100), Bhagatpur Tea Garden (12,555), Kurti Tea Garden (4,285), Gatia Tea Garden (5,855), Luksan Tea Garden (8,027), Chengmari Tea Garden (14,446), Grassmore Tea Garden (5,563), Sulkapara (5,682) and Bamandanga Tea Garden (4,698).[5]

Other villages in the Nagrakata CD block include (2011 census figures in brackets): Nagrakata (356), Hila Tea Garden (2,843), Angrabhasa (3,224).[5]

Literacy

According to the 2011 census, the total number of literate persons in the Nagrakata CD block was 67,646 (61.27% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 39,138 (70.51% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 28,508 (51.93% of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 18.58%.[5]

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

Language and religion

According to the District Census Handbook, Jalpaiguri, 2011 census, as of 2001, Bengali was the mother-tongue 55.8% of the population of Jalpaiguri district, followed by Sadan/ Sadri (14.3%), Nepali/ Gorkhali (6.9%), Hindi (4.6%), Kurukh/ Oraon (2.6%), Santali (1.0%), Bodo/Boro (0.8%), Munda (0.7%), Bhojpuri (0.7%), Rajbanshi (0.5%), Telugu (0.4%), Urdu (0.3%), Rabha (0.3%), Odiya (0.3%), Kharia (0.1%) and other mother-tongues (10.8%). The proportion of the population speaking Bengali increased from 54.5% in 1961 to 68.5% in 1981 and thereafter dropped to 55.8% in 2001. During the same period the proportion of the population speaking Sadan/ Sadri increased from 5.6% in 1961 to 14.3% in 2001. There was also a decline in the proportion of the population speaking such languages as Nepali/ Gorkhali, Hindi, Kurukh/ Oraon, Santali, Munda and Rajbanshi.[7]

According to the West Bengal Official Language Act 1961 and the West Bengal Official Language (Amendment Act) 2012, the Bengali language is to be used for official purposes in the whole of West Bengal. In addition to Bengali, the Nepali language is to be used for official purposes in the three hills subdivisions, namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, in the district of Darjeeling, and Urdu is to be used for official purposes in district/subdivision/ block/ municipality where the population speaking Urdu exceeds 10% of the total population. The English language will continue to be used for official purposes as it was being used prior to the enactment of these laws.[8][9][10][11]

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.[12][13] However, as of 2020, there is no official / other reliable information about the areas covered. Census 2011 provides language data only at the district and above level.

Religion in Nagrakata CD block
Hindu
 
 79.91%
Muslim
 
 7.77%
Christian
 
 7.37%
Others
 
 4.95%

In the 2011 Census of India, Hindus numbered 101,798 and formed 79.91% of the population of Nagrakata CD block. Muslims numbered 9,901 and formed 7.77% of the population. Christians numbered 9,391 and formed 7.37% of the population. Others numbered 6,307 and formed 4.95% of the population.[14] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,[15] and other religious communities.[14]

Poverty level

Based on a study of the per capita consumption in rural and urban areas, using central sample data of NSS 55th Round 1999-2000, Jalpaiguri district was found to have relatively high rates of poverty of 35.73% in rural areas and 61.53% in the urban areas. It was one of the few districts where urban poverty rate was higher than the rural poverty rate.[16]

According to a World Bank report, as of 2012, 26-31% of the population of Jalpaiguri, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur districts were below poverty line, a relatively high level of poverty in West Bengal, which had an average 20% of the population below poverty line.[17]

Economy

Livelihood

Livelihood
in Nagrakata CD block

  Cultivators (8.50%)
  Agricultural labourers (13.99%)
  Household industries (1.68%)
  Other Workers (75.82%)

In the Nagrakata CD block in 2011, among the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 4,130 and formed 8.50%, agricultural labourers numbered 6,796 and formed 13.99%, household industry workers numbered 815 and formed 1.68% and other workers numbered 36,824 and formed 75.82%.[18] Total workers numbered 48,565 and formed 38.12% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 78,832 and formed 61.88% of the population.[19]

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.[20]

Infrastructure

There are 33 inhabited villages in the Nagrakata CD block, as per the District Census Handbook, Jalpaiguri, 2011. 100% villages have power supply. 32 villages (96.97%) have drinking water supply. 10 villages (30.30%) have post offices. 24 villages (72.73%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 22 villages (66.67%) have pucca (paved) approach roads and 12 villages (36.36%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 3 villages (9.09%) have banks.[21]

Agriculture

The economy of the Jalpaiguri district is mainly dependent on agriculture and plantations, and majority of the people are engaged in agriculture. Jalpaiguri is well-known for tea and timber. Other important crops are paddy, jute, tobacco, mustard seeds, sugarcane and wheat. The annual average rainfall is 3,440 mm, around double of that of Kolkata and the surrounding areas. The area is flood prone and the rivers often change course causing immense damage to crops and cultivated lands.[22]

In 2013-14, there were 11 fertiliser depots, 3 seed stores and 30 fair price shops in the Nagrakata CD block.[23]

In 2013–14, the Nagrakata CD block produced 5,618 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 2,912 hectares, 112 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 75 hectares, 748 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 380 hectares, 391 tonnes of wheat from 146 hectares, 893 tonnes of maize from 557 hectares, 2,616 tonnes of jute from 170 hectares and 9,196 tonnes of potatoes from 396 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds.[23]

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in the Nagrakata CD block was 1,851 hectares, out of which 1,595 hectares were irrigated by canal water, 21 hectares by tank water, 200 hectares by river lift irrigation and 35 hectares by shallow tube wells.[23]

Dooars-Terai tea gardens
Main article: Dooars-Terai tea gardens

Tea gardens in the Dooars and Terai regions produce 226 million kg or over a quarter of India's total tea crop.. The Dooars-Terai tea is characterized by a bright, smooth and full-bodied liquor that's a wee bit lighter than Assam tea. Cultivation of tea in the Dooars was primarily pioneered and promoted by the British but there was significant contribution of Indian entrepreneurs.[24][25]

Banking

In 2013-14, Nagrakata CD block had offices of 4 commercial banks and 1 gramin bank.[23]

Backward Regions Grant Fund

The Jalpaiguri 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.[26][27]

Transport

Nagrakata CD block has 6 originating/ terminating bus routes.[23]

NH 31C passes through the block.

Education

In 2013-14, Nagrakata CD block had 56 primary schools with 10,090 students, 5 middle schools with 475 students, 1 high school with 1,176 students and 7 higher secondary schools with 7,007 students. Nagrakata CD block had 426 institutions for special and non-formal education with 19,572 students.[23]

See also – Education in India

According to the 2011 census, in the Nagrakata CD block, among the 33 inhabited villages, 2 villages did not schools, 24 villages had two or more primary schools, 12 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 7 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.[28]

Healthcare

In 2014, Nagrakata CD block had 1 rural hospital, 2 primary health centres and 6 NGO/ private nursing home with total 140 beds and 12 doctors (excluding private bodies). It had 22 family welfare subcentres. 5,906 patients were treated indoor and 143,195 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD block.[23]

Sulkapara Rural Hospital, with 30 beds at Sulkapara, is the major government medical facility in the Nagrakata CD block. There are primary health centres at Lookshan (with 4 beds), Dhumpara (PO Nathna) (with 10 beds).[29][30]

References
  1. "District Census Handbook, Jalpaiguri, Series 20, Part XIIA" (PDF). Census of India 2011, page 13 Physiography. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  2. "District Census Handbook, Jalpaiguri, Series 20, Part XIIA" (PDF). Census of India 2011, Fifth page, map of Jalpaiguri district. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Jalpaiguri". Tables 2.1, 2.2. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  4. "Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal". Bankura - Revised in March 2008. Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  5. "CD block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  6. "Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal , Table 4". Census of India 2001, Jalpaiguri district (02). Census Commissioner of India. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  7. "District Census Handbook Jalpaiguri, Series 20, Part XII A , 2011 census" (PDF). page 46: Mother tongue. Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  8. "West Bengal Official Language Act 1961". Latest Laws.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  9. "The West Bengal Official Language Act 1961". Advocate Tanmoy Law Library. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  10. "The West Bengal Official Language Act, 1961" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  11. "Official status for Urdu in some West Bengal Areas". The Hindu, 2 April 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  12. "Multilingual Bengal". The Telegraph, 11 December 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  13. "Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi make it to the list of official languages in Bengal". Outlook, 28 February 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  14. "C1 Population by Religious Community". West Bengal. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  15. "ST-14 A Details Of Religions Shown Under 'Other Religions And Persuasions' In Main Table". West Bengal. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  16. "West Bengal Human Development Report 2004" (PDF). Page 80: Table 4.5 Per capita consumption in rural and urban areas by district. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  17. "West Bengal: Poverty, Growth and Inequality" (PDF). World Bank Group. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. "District Census Handbook Jalpaiguri, 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 23 June 2020.
  19. "District Census Handbook Jalpaiguri, 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 23 June 2020.
  20. "District Census Handbook Jalpaiguri, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Census Concepts and Definitions, Page 23. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  21. "District Census Handbook, Jalpaiguri, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Page 81, Table 36: Distribution of villages according to availability of different amenities, 2011. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  22. "District Census Handbook, Jalpaiguri, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Pages 15, 18, 19. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  23. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Jalpaiguri". Table No. 16.1, 18.1, 18.2, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 – arranged as per use. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  24. "Tea Growing Regions". Dooars and Terai. Indian Tea Association. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  25. "Dooars-Terai". Tea Board India. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  26. "Backward Regions Grant Funds: Programme Guidelines" (PDF). Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  27. "Backward Regions Grant Fund". Press Release, 14 June 2012. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  28. "District Census Handbook, Jalpaiguri, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Page 412, 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 23 June 2020.
  29. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics – Rural Hospitals. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  30. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics – Primary Health Centres. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
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