Neturia (community development block)

Neturia
Community development block
Location in West Bengal
Coordinates: 23°39′47″N86°49′37″E / 23.66306°N 86.82694°E / 23.66306; 86.82694
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Purulia
Parliamentary constituency	Bankura
Assembly constituency	Raghunathpur
Area
• Total	203.65 km2 (78.63 sq mi)
Elevation	139 m (456 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	101,427
• Density	500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Bengali, Santali, English
Time zone	UTC+5.30 (IST)
PIN	723142
Telephone/STD code	03251
Vehicle registration	WB-55, WB-56
Literacy Rate	65.14 per cent
Website	http://purulia.gov.in/
http://www.bdoneturia.org/

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

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]}

Geography

CD blocks in Purulia district

Neturia is located at 23°39′47″N86°49′37″E / 23.663°N 86.827°E / 23.663; 86.827 .

The Neturia CD block is located in the north-western part of the district. The Damodar marks the northern boundary of the Neturia CD block. The Damodar Dwaraka upland is an extension of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The area is undulating with hillocks of hard rocks. ^[3]

The Neturia CD block is bounded by the Nirsa CD block, in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, and the Asansol Municipal Corporation, in the Paschim Bardhaman district, both across the Damodar River on the north, the Santuri CD block on the east, the Raghunathpur I CD block on the south and the Raghunathpur II CD block on the west. ^[4]

The Neturia CD block has an area of 203.65 km². It has 1 panchayat samity, 7 gram panchayats, 73 gram sansads (village councils), 124 mouzas, 110 inhabited villages and 3 census towns. Neturia police station serves this block. ^[5] Headquarters of this CD block are at Gobag, Ramkanali. ^{[4] [6]}

Gram panchayats in the Neturia CD block/panchayat samiti are: Bhamuria, Digha, Guniara, Janardandi, Raibandh, Saltore and Sarbari. ^[7]

Demographics

Population

According to the 2011 Census of India, the Neturia CD block had a total population of 101,427, of which 83,137 were rural and 18,290 were urban. There were 52,310 (52%) males and 49,117 (48%) females. There were 13,661 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The Scheduled Castes numbered 29,275 (28.86%) and the Scheduled Tribes numbered 22,616 (22.30%). ^[8]

According to the 2001 census, the Neturia CD block had a total population of 90,632, out of which 46,900 were males and 43,732 were females. The Neturia CD block registered a population growth of 10.24 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the Purulia district was 13.96 per cent. ^[9] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent. ^[10]

Census towns in the Neturia CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Saltore (5,094), Hijuli (7,917) and Par Beliya (5,279). ^[8]

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in the Neturia CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Sarbari (5,007). ^[8]

Other villages in the Neturia CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Bhamaria (3,425), Nituria (1,144), Garh Panchkot (1,415), Digha (2,300), Gunyara (1,179) and Janardandi (686). ^[8]

Literacy

According to the 2011 census, the total number of literate persons in the Neturia CD block was 57,174 (65.14% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 35,092 (77.38% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 22,082 (52.06%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 25.32%. ^[8]

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

Literacy in CD Blocks of Purulia district
Purulia Sadar subdivision
Arsha – 57.48%
Balarampur – 60.40%
Hura – 68.79%
Purulia I – 78.37%
Purulia II – 63.39%
Manbazar subdivision
Barabazar – 63.27
Bandwan – 61.38%
Manbazar I – 63.78%
Manbazar II – 60.27%
Puncha – 68.14%
Jhalda subdivision
Baghmundi – 57.17%
Jhalda I – 66.18%
Jhalda II – 54.76%
Joypur – 57.94%
Raghunathpur subdivision
Para – 65.62%
Raghunathpur I – 67.36%
Raghunathpur II – 67.29%
Neturia – 65.14%
Santuri – 64.15%
Kashipur – 71.06%
Source: 2011 Census: CD Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data

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%. ^[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.

Along the western borders of the district the local Bengali dialect spoken in the area often merges with the Magahi dialects such as the Kurmali, Khotta and Khottahi or even Khotta Bangla. 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 Bhumij and Mahli communities. ^[14]

Religion in Neturia CD block
Hindu			85.40%
Muslim			9.65%
Christian			0.15%
Others			4.80%

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 86,614 and formed 85.40% of the population in Neturia CD Block. Muslims numbered 9,783 and formed 9.65% of the population. Christians numbered 148 and formed 0.15% of the population. Others numbered 4,882 and formed 4.80% of the population. ^[15] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria, ^[16] and other religious communities. ^[15]

Rural Poverty

According to the Rural Household Survey in 2005, 32.85% of total number of families were BPL families in Purulia district. ^[17] 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. ^[18]

Economy

Livelihood

Livelihood
in Neturia CD block

  Cultivators (15.17%)

  Agricultural labourers (24.79%)

  Household industries (2.90%)

  Other Workers (57.14%)

In the Neturia CD block in 2011, among the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 5,655 and formed 15.17%, agricultural labourers numbered 9,242 and formed 24.79%, household industry workers numbered 1,080 and formed 2.90% and other workers numbered 21,297 and formed 57.14%. ^[19] Total workers numbered 37,274 and formed 36.75% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 64,153 and formed 63.25% of the population. ^[20]

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. ^[21]

Infrastructure

There are 110 inhabited villages in the Neturia CD block, as per the District Census Handbook, Puruliya, 2011, 100% villages have power supply. 107 villages (97.27%) have drinking water supply. 15 villages (13.64%) have post offices. 83 villages (75.45%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 32 villages (29.09%) have pucca (paved) approach roads and 38 villages (34.55%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 2 villages (1.82%) have agricultural credit societies and 4 villages (3.64%) have banks. ^[22]

Coal mining

Parbelia and other collieries are under the Sodepur Area (see details with map) of the Eastern Coalfields Ltd. ^[23]

Industry

Industries in Neturia CD block are: Maithon Steel & Power at Bonra, Maa Chhinnamstika Steel & Power at Madandihi, Raghubeer Steel & Power Ltd. at Digha. ^[24]

Agriculture

In 2013–14, persons engaged in agriculture in the Neturia CD block could be classified as follows: bargadars 0.62%, patta (document) holders 14.46%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 6.34%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 42.04% and agricultural labourers 36.54%. ^[25]

In 2013–14, the total area irrigated in the Neturia CD block was 3,805.83 hectares, out of which 3,303.99 hectares by tank water, 13.64 hectares by river lift irrigation, 116.20 hectares by open dug wells and 372.00 hectares by other means. ^[25]

In 2013–14, Neturia CD block produced 3,218 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 1,771 hectares. It also produced wheat, gram and mustard. ^[25]

Banking

In 2013–14, the Neturia CD block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 1 gramin bank. ^[25]

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. ^{[26] [27]}

Transport

In 2013–14, the Neturia CD block had 2 ferry services and 4 originating/ terminating bus routes. ^[25]

State Highway 5 running from Rupnarayanpur (in the Bardhaman district) to Junput (in the Purba Medinipur district) passes through this block. ^[28]

Education

In 2013–14, the Neturia CD block had 107 primary schools with 8,852 students, 19 middle schools with 1,146 students, 4 high schools with 1,305 students and 10 higher secondary schools with 9,118 students. Neturia CD Block had 1 general college with 1,627 students, 1 professional/ technical institute with 100 students and 221 institutions with 5,925 students for special and non-formal education. ^[25]

See also – Education in India

According to the 2011 census, in Neturia CD block, amongst the 110 inhabited villages, 17 villages did not have a school, 13 villages had two or more primary schools, 23 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 10 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school. ^[29]

Panchakot Mahavidyalaya was established in 2001 at Sarbari. ^[30]

Healthcare

In 2014, the Neturia CD block had 1 rural hospital and 3 primary health centres, with total 48 beds and 6 doctors. 5,366 patients were treated indoor and 168,817 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block. ^[25]

Harmadih Rural Hospital, with 30 beds at Harmadih, is the major government medical facility in the Neturia CD block. There are primary health centres at Bartoria (with 2 beds) and Gunara (with 10 beds). ^{[31] [32]}

External links

• Garh Panchakot travel guide from Wikivoyage

References

1. "Historical background". Purulia District. Archived from the original on 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
2. "Historical Event: Bhasa Andolan". Department of Information and Cultural Affairs. Purulia.nic.in. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
3. "District Census Handbook Puruliya" (PDF). pages 11,12. Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
4. "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.
5. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purulia". Tables 2.1, 2.2. Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
6. "Neturia Development Block". Neturia Block. Neturia block. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
7. "Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal". Purulia - Revised in March 2008. Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
8. "CD 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.
9. "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.
10. "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.
11. "District Census Handbook Puruliya, Series 20, Part XXA" (PDF). page 44: Mother tongue. Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal. Retrieved 12 January 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. "Bengal District Gazetteers - Manbhum by H. Coupland, ICS". Section 72, First Published 1911. University of California, San Diego. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
15. "C1 Population by Religious Community". West Bengal. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
16. "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.
17. "West Bengal Summary". Rural Household Survey 2005. Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
18. "West Bengal: Poverty, Growth and Inequality" (PDF). World Bank Group. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
19. "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.
20. "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.
21. "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.
22. "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.
23. "Area wise Closed User Group (CUG) Telephone Numbers" (PDF). Sodepur Area. Eastern Coalfields Limited. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
24. "Industries in Purulia". Purulia on line. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
25. "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.
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 12 January 2020.
27. "Backward Regions Grant Fund". Press Release, 14 June 2012. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
28. "List of State Highways in West Bengal". West Bengal Traffic Police. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
29. "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.
30. "Panchakot Mahavidyalaya". PM. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
31. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics – Rural Hospitals. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
32. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics – Primary Health Centres. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 18 January 2020.