Narayangarh (community development block)

According to the 2011 Census of India, Narayangarh CD block had a total population of 302,620, of which 293,613 were rural and 9,007 were urban. There were 153,247 (51%) males and 149,373 (49%) females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 34,797. Scheduled Castes numbered 56,333 (18.62%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 68,080 (22.50%).[6]

According to the 2001 census, Narayangarh block had a total population of 266,450, out of which 136,091 were males and 130,359 were females. Narayangarh block registered a population growth of 17.02 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the combined Midnapore district was 14.87 per cent.[7] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.45 per cent.[8]

Census Towns in Narayangarh CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Deuli (9,007).[6]

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Narayangarh CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Bahurupa (5,071).[6]

Other villages in Narayangarh CD block include (2011 census figures in brackets): Belda (762), Mannya (1,144), Bakhrabad (1,295), Khursi (2,634), Kunarpur (1,145), Kashipur (1,569) and Kasba Narayangarh (3,626).[6]

According to the 2011 census the total number of literate persons in Narayangarh CD block was 209,734 (78.31% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 116,222 (85.88% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 93,152 (70.31% of the female population over 6 years). The gender gap in literacy rates was 15.58%.[6]

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

According to the District Census Handbook, Paschim Medinipur, 2011 census, as of 2001, Bengali was the mother-tongue of 90.5% of the population of Paschim Medinipur district, followed by Santali (4.6%), Hindi (1.4%), Kurmali Thar (0.7%), Urdu (0.6%), Telugu (0.6%), Odia (0.4%), Mundari (0.2%), Koda/ Kora (0.1%), Munda (0.1%) and Nepali (0.1%). There were people, forming lesser proportion of population, having other languages as mother-tongue. People with other mother-tongues formed 0.7% of the population.[9]

There is a tribal presence in many of the CD blocks of the district. Santali is spoken by 55.93% of the tribal population of the district. The Bhumij, forming 11.16% of the tribal population, and the Mundas, forming 6.10% of the tribal population, speak Mundari. Other small groups include Koras and Mahalis. The Lodhas, forming 3.85% of the tribal population, the only primitive tribe in the district, speak Lodhi.[10]

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.[11][12][13][14]

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.[15][16] 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.

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 283,826 and formed 93.79% of the population in Narayangarh CD block. Muslims numbered 15,835 and formed 5.23% of the population. Christians numbered 493 and formed 0.16% of the population. Others numbered 2466 and formed 0.17% of the population.[17] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,[18] and other religious communities.[17]

465 or 90% of mouzas in Narayangarh CD block were electrified by 31 March 2014.[20]

470 mouzas in Narayangarh CD block had drinking water facilities in 2013-14. There were 145 fertiliser depots, 42 seed stores and 64 fair price shops in the CD Block.[20]

Although the Bargadari Act of 1950 recognised the rights of bargadars to a higher share of crops from the land that they tilled, it was not implemented fully. Large tracts, beyond the prescribed limit of land ceiling, remained with the rich landlords. From 1977 onwards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants.[21] Following land reforms land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Narayangarh CD block could be classified as follows: bargadars 6.87%, patta (document) holders 27.77%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 2.27%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 13.33% and agricultural labourers 49.76%.[20]

In 2005-06 the nett cropped area in Narayangarh CD block was 40,046 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 26,266 hectares.[22]

The extension of irrigation has played a role in growth of the predominant agricultural economy.[23] In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Narayangarh CD block was 21,176 hectares, out of which 20 hectares were irrigated by canal water, 588 hectares by tank water, 19,508 hectares by deep tubewells, 510 hectares by shallow tubewells, 50 hectares by river lift irrigation and 500 hectares by other methods.[20]

In 2013-14, Narayangarh CD Block produced 69,924 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 38,050 hectares, 231 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 109 hectares, 60,026 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 17,073 hectares, 22 tonnes of wheat from 10 hectares and 120 tonnes of potatoes from 5 hectares. It also produced oilseeds.[20]

In 2013-14, Narayangarh CD block had offices of 21 commercial banks.[20]