Barnala district is one of the 26 districts of the Indian state of Punjab. It was carved out of Sangrur district, in November 2006. It is a centrally located district bordered by Ludhiana district on the north, Moga district on northwest, Bathinda district on west, Sangrur district on east and Mansa district on south. As per census 2011, the population of District Barnala is 5,96,294. The town has a thriving industrial sector with two main industries: Trident Group and a large industry producing Combines.[citation needed]
As of 2011, it is the least populous district of Punjab (out of 23).[2]
History
During the British era, the area that is now Barnala district was mostly part of Patiala State, with some areas belonging to Nabha State and some areas part of Ludhiana district. It functioned as a Nizamat (district) within Patiala state, comprising three tehsils: Mansa, Bathinda, and Barnala. This district was also historically referred to as Anahatgarth district.[3][4][5]
After Patiala & other State accepted the dominion of India, and the princely states were reorganized, Barnala became part of the newly formed Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) and was designated as a district within it. During this process, the district itself was also reorganized.[6]
In 1953, the Barnala district was abolished. At that time, the district consisted of four tehsils: Phul, Dhuri, Malerkotla, and Barnala. A portion of Phul tehsil along with the remaining three tehsils—Dhuri, Malerkotla, and Barnala—were transferred to Sangrur district, & rest part of Phul tehsil was merged into Bathinda district.[7]
Barnala regained its status as a separate district much later, on 19 November 2006, carved out from Sangrur district. The new Barnala district comprises two sub-divisions—Barnala and Tapa—with three sub-tehsils: Tapa, Bhadaur, and Dhanaula, and three development blocks: Barnala, Sehna, and Mehal Kalan.[8]
The Deputy Commissioner (DC), an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the overall in-charge of the general administration in the district. Currently Poonamdeep Kaur, IAS is Deputy Commissioner of Barnala District. He is assisted by a number of officers belonging to Punjab Civil Service and other state services.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues of the district. Currently, Mr.Sandeep Malik, IPS is the Senior Superintendent of Police. He is expected to maintain very cordial relations with all the NGO's and social associations of the city. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Police Service and other Punjab Police officials.
Indian Red Cross Society (IRC). Red Cross is globally accredited for its presence in providing quality health care services and always extends a helping hand to the needy. Indian Red Cross Society (IRC), Barnala District branch is having Mr. Sarwan Singh as its secretary. Patrons, Life Members, and volunteers of the society recently attended a "Seminar on Fund Raising and Capacity Building" at Ferozepur (the border town of Punjab)on 26 April 2011. Dr. Raj Kumar Jindal led the delegation.
The District Public Relations Officer (DPRO). He is responsible for public relations of the state government as well as the district administrations. He issues and authorizes press notes to the print and electronic media of the district. Maintains records of all press and electronic channel reporters. Currently, Smt. Megha Mann is the DPRO of the Barnala District.
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service is responsible for managing the forests, environment, and wildlife-related issues of the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Forest Service and other Punjab Forest officials and Punjab Wild-Life officials. Sectoral development is looked after by the district head of each development department such as PWD, Agriculture, Health, Education, and Animal husbandry. These officers belong to various State Services.
The District Informatics Officer (DIO), head of National Informatics Center. This department works regarding the E-Governance and other Technology-based Services that provide an automated environment to do the various tasks in District Office. Currently, Mr.Mohammad kasif is DIO.
According to the 2011 census, Barnala district has a population of 595,527,[2] roughly equal to the nation of Solomon Islands[12] or the US state of Wyoming.[13] As per 2011 census, Barnala is the least populous district of Punjab. This gives it a ranking of 527th in India (out of a total of 640).[2] The district has a population density of 419 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,090/sqmi) .[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.16%.[2] Barnala has a sex ratio of 876 females for every 1000 males,[2] and a literacy rate of 68.9%. Scheduled Castes made up 32.24% of the population.[2]
At the time of the 2011 census, 95.14% of the population spoke Punjabi and 4.30% Hindi as their first language.[9]
The table below shows the population of different religions in absolute numbers in the urban and rural areas of Barnala district.
Absolute numbers of different religious groups in Barnala district[14]
Religion
Urban (2011)
Rural (2011)
Sikh
1,03,541
3,64,210
Hindu
82,016
30,843
Muslim
4,304
8,796
Christian
358
264
Other religions
466
729
The table below shows the population of different religious groups in Barnala district, as of 2011 census.
Population by religious groups in Barnala district, 2011 census[15]
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