Simlapal (community development block)

Simlapal
সিমলাপাল
Community development block
সমষ্টি উন্নয়ন ব্লক
Simlapal

Location in West Bengal, India

Coordinates: 22°55′22″N 87°04′24″E / 22.9227°N 87.0734°E / 22.9227; 87.0734Coordinates: 22°55′22″N 87°04′24″E / 22.9227°N 87.0734°E / 22.9227; 87.0734
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Bankura
Government
 • Type Community development block
Area
 • Total 310.15 km2 (119.75 sq mi)
Elevation 78 m (256 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 143,038
 • Density 460/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Bengali, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 722151 (Simlapal)
Telephone/STD code 03243
Vehicle registration WB-67, WB-68
Literacy 68.44%
Lok Sabha constituency Bankura
Vidhan Sabha constituency Taldangra
Website bankura.gov.in

Simlapal is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Khatra subdivision of Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

History

From Bishnupur kingdom to the British Raj

From around the 7th century AD till around the advent of British rule, for around a millennium, history of Bankura district is identical with the rise and fall of the Hindu Rajas of Bishnupur. The Bishnupur Rajas, who were at the summit of their fortunes towards the end of the 17th century, started declining in the first half of the 18th century. First, the Maharaja of Burdwan seized the Fatehpur Mahal, and then the Maratha invasions laid waste their country.[1]

Bishnupur was ceded to the British with the rest of Burdwan chakla in 1760. In 1787, Bishnupur was united with Birbhum to form a separate administrative unit. In 1793 it was transferred to the Burdwan collectorate. In 1879, the district acquired its present shape with the thanas of Khatra and Raipur and the outpost of Simplapal being transferred from Manbhum, and the thanas of Sonamukhi, Kotulpur and Indas being retransferred from Burdwan. However, it was known for sometime as West Burdwan and in 1881 came to be known as Bankura district.[1]

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 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.[2]

The CPI (Maoist) extremism which started in the district in the mid-nineties was mainly concentrated in five police station areas of Khatra subdivision – Sarenga, Barikul, Ranibandh, Raipur and Simlapal. They also functioned across the adjoining areas of Paschim Medinipur and Purulia districts.[3] 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 Paschim Medinipur district, on 2 November 2008 and the police action that followed, had also spread over to these areas.[4] 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.[4][5]

Geography

Topography

Bankura district has been described as the “connecting link between the plains of Bengal on the east and Chota Nagpur plateau on the west.” The areas to the east and north-east are low lying alluvial plains, similar to the predominating rice lands in the adjacent districts of Bengal. To the west the surface gradually rises, giving way to undulating country, interspersed with rocky hillocks. Much of the area is covered with jungles.[6]

The Kangsabati Project consists of a dam across the Kangsabati in Khatra CD Block and three pick-up barrages – Shilabati, Bhairabbanki and Tarafeny.[7]

Location

Simlapal is located at 22°55′22″N 87°04′24″E / 22.9227°N 87.0734°E / 22.9227; 87.0734.

Simlapal CD Block is bounded by Taldangra CD Block on the north, Garhbeta II CD Block, in Paschim Medinipur district, on the east, Sarenga CD Block on the south and Khatra CD Block on the west.[8][9]

It is located 39 km from Bankura, the district headquarters.[8]

Area and administration

Simlapal CD Block has an area of 310.15 km2. It has 1 panchayat samity, 7 gram panchayats, 105 gram sansads (village councils), 203 mouzas, 191 inhabited villages and 1 census town. Simlapal police station serves this block.[10]Headquarters of this CD Block is at Simlapal.

Gram panchayats

Gram panchayats of Simlapal block/ panchayat samiti are: Bikrampur, Dubrajpur, Laxmisagar, Machatora, Mandalgram, Parsola and Simlapal.[11]

Places of interest

Simlapal Royal palace area
Lakshmisagar Rankinitora
Hetyagora Kalindi Water reservoir

Demographics

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Simlapal CD Block had a total population of 143,038, of which 135,832 were rural and 7,206 were urban. There were 73,008 (51%) males and 70,030 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 17,125. Scheduled Castes numbered 37,738 (26.38%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 21,277 (14.88%).[12]

As per 2001 census, Simlapal block had a total population of 127,429, out of which 65,328 were males and 62,101 were females. Simlapal block registered a population growth of 14.48 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the district was 13.79 per cent.[13] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.[14]

Census Towns and villages

Census Towns in Simlapal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Simlapal (7,200).[12]

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Simlapal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Lakshmisagar (5,304).[12]

Other villages in Simlapal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Dubrajpur (3,162), Machatora (667), Bikrampur (1,709) and Parsala (2,689).[12]

Literacy

As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Simlapal CD Block was 86,172 (68.44% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 50,372 (78.36% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 35,800 (58.09%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 20.28%.[12]

As per the 2011 census, literacy in Bankura district was 70.26%, up from 63.44 in 2001 and 52.00% in 1991.[15] Literacy in West Bengal was 77.08% in 2011.[16] Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%.[16]

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

Languages

Bengali is the local language in these areas.[8]

There is a tribal presence in many of the CD Blocks of the district. Santali is spoken by around 10% of the population in the district. Some people also speak Mundari.[17]

Sabars are the most backward amongst the tribals. The concentration of Sabar people is high in Ranibandh and Raipur CD Blocks.[18]

Religion

Religion in Simlapal CD Block
Hindu
  
 77.26%
Muslim
  
 3.96%
Christian
  
 0.06%
Others
  
 18.72%

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 110,512 and formed 77.26% of the population in Simlapal CD Block. Muslims numbered 5,667 and formed 3.96% of the population. Christians numbered 90 and formed 0.06% of the population. Others numbered 26,769 and formed 18.72% of the population.[19] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,[20] and other religious communities.[19]

In 2011, Hindus numbered 3,033,581 and formed 84.34% of the population in Bankura district. Muslims numbered 290,450 and formed 8.08% of the population. Christians numbered 3,865 and formed 0.11% of the population. Others numbered 268,778 and formed 7.47% of the population. In West Bengal, Hindus numbered 64,385,546 and formed 70.53% of the population. Muslims numbered 24,654,825 and formed 27.01% of the population.[19]

Human Development Report

According to the District Human Development Report of Bankura: It is located in the western part of the state, which is popularly known as Rarh. The district is primarily rural with 92.63% of the population living in rural areas in 2001. It has 3 municipal towns – Bankura, Bishnupur and Sonamukhi – and 22 community development blocks. It had a density of population of 464 persons per  km2.[21]

The average size of holdings in the district is 1.02 acres. The marginal land holding class owning an average of 0.53 acres forms 67 per cent. Another 21.94 per cent forms the small land holding class. Add to this the poor irrigation facilities, low fertility and the resultant low productivity. All of it adversely affects the quality of life in a mainly agrarian economy. In 2001, 32.6% of the people in Bankura district were farmers, 37.1% were agricultural labourers and 30.3% were engaged in non-agricultural occupations.[21]

In Bankura district 41.52% of families were living below poverty line. It was much higher than the state level (27.02% in 1999-2000). There is an uneven distribution of poverty in the district. The economically backward areas are mostly located in the western and southern portions of the district. These are in the hilly and lateritic zone. Towards the north-west the undulations become more prominent. The annual rainfall varies between 1,100 mm and 1,400 mm, it comes mostly during a four-month period of June to September and is erratic. Fluctuating rainfall with inermittent spells of drought takes a heavy toll of the agricultural output. On the other hand, the entire Bishnupur subdivision and some of the CD Blocks in the eastern part of the district, such as Gangajalghati, Barjora, Onda, Simlapal and Taldangra, have extensive flat rice fields with the promise of rich harvests.[21]

Out of the total geographical area of 687,387 hecatares in the district 241,992 hectares are under single crop, 106,748 hectares are under double crop, 119,214 hectares are forested, 20,712 hectares have open forest, 50,784 hectares have degraded forests and 33,002 hectares have eroded lands. The primary source of ground water is rainfall. Both Kangsabati and Damodar irrigation projects provide good surface irrigation but with the passage of time the canal system has lost much of its efficiency. The 88 km long west bank canal from Durgapur Barrage passes through Barjora, Sonamukhi, Patrasayer and Indas police station areas. The Kangsabati Project, with a designed irrigable area of 153,462 hectares in Bankura district, covers 13 CD Blocks in Bankura district, 20 CD Blocks in Paschim Medinipur and 2 CD Blocks in Hooghly district. CD Blocks covered in Bankura are: Bankura, Bishnupur, Kotulpur, Joypur, Onda, Indpur, Khatra, Hirbandh, Raipur, Sarenga, Simlapal, Taldangra and Ranibandh. Under the minor irrigation programme, 2,703 hectares are irrigated from dugwells, 50,293 hectares from shallow tubewells, 3,496 hecatares from deep tubewells, 59,787 hectares from surface flow, 10,758 hectares from surface lift in Bankura district.[21]

Migration has been observed in the following CD Blocks of Bankura district: Bankura I, Chhatna, Saltora, Indpur, Ranibandh, Hirbandh, Khatra, Raipur and Sarenga. Although authentic figures are not available, a sample survey has been done. According to the sample survey, around 54.5% to 85.4% of the families on an average migrate from these blocks. Another study shows that around 23% of the people from the under-privileged blocks in the western and southern Bankura migrate. Those migrating belong mostly to the SC or ST population. They migrate for periods varying from 15 days to 6/8 months. Most people migrate to meet their food deficit and go to Bardhaman and Hooghly districts but some go to Gujarat and Maharashtra as construction labour.[21]

(Note: Certain topics, such as Geography, Literacy, Education, Healthcare etc., are not/not fully covered here and are covered elsewhere in this page.)

Economy

Infrastructure

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD Block had 48.24 km of surfaced roads under PWD, 26.98 km surfaced roads under Zilla Parishad, 25.00 km surfaced roads and 370.00.00 km unsurfaced roads under Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti and 42.79 km surfaced roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.[22]

190 or 94% of mouzas in Simlapal CD Block were electrified by 31 March 2014. The total consumption of electricity in Bankura district in 2013-14 was 484,590 KWH, out of which 252,531 KWH or 52.1% was for domestic consumption and 52,117 KWH or 10.75% was for agricultural irrigation and dewatering.[22]

203 mouzas in Simlapal CD Block had drinking water facilities in 2013-14. There were 59 fertiliser depots, 18 seed stores and 48 fair price shops in the CD Block.[22]

Agriculture

In Bankura district in 2010-11, 34.92% of the operational holdings were held in marginal holdings of less than 1 hectare by 68.22% of the holders. Another 31.16% of the operational holdings were held in small holdings between 1 and 2 hectares by 21.05% of the holders. In Bankura district, 23,389 hectares of vested land was distributed amongst 191,915 beneficiaries up to 31 October 2013.[22]

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Simlapal CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 5.62%, patta (document) holders 17.78%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 5.85%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 18.27% and agricultural labourers 52.48%.[22]

In 2003-04 net area sown Simlapal CD Block was 11,282 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 10,075 hectares.[23]

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Simlapal CD Block was 19,144 hectares, out of which 11,853 hectares was by canal water, 1,790 hectares by tank water, 1,120 hectares by river lift irrigation, 116 hectares by deep tubewell, 2,400 hectares by shallow tubewell, 45 hectares by open dug wells and 1,820 hectares by other methods.[22]

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD Block produced 99,087 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 34,047 hectares, 181 tonnes of Aus paddy from 65 hectares, 3,290 tonnes of Boro paddy from 1,239 hectares, 237 tonnes of wheat from 105 hectares and 40,671,000 tonnes of potatoes from 2,214 hectares. It also produced maize, pulses and mustard.[22]

Pisciculture

In Simlapal CD Block, the net area under effective pisciculture was 980 hectares in 2013-14. 4,975 persons were engaged in the profession. Approxiate annual production was 12,566 quintals.[22]

Handloom industry

The handloom industry engages the largest number of persons in the non farm sector and hence is important in Bankura district. The handloom industry is well established in all the CD Blocks of the district and includes the famous Baluchari saris. In 2004-05 Simlipal CD Block had 507 looms in operation.[24]

Pottery

Bankura district is well known for the artistic excellence of its pottery products that include the famous Bankura horse. The range of pottery products is categorised as follows: domestic utilities, terracota and other decorative items and roofing tiles and other heavy pottery items. Domestic utilities include cooking utensils, pitchers and water containers. These are produced in the following CD Blocks: Indpur, Gangajalghati, Ranibandh, Khatra, Hirbandh, Sonamukhi, Indus, Mejia, Raipur, Sarenga, Onda, Saltora, Chhatna, Joypur, Bankura I, Bankura II, Taldangra, Simlapal, Barjora, Bishnupur and Patrasayer. The terracotta and decorative items include horse, elephant, tiger, ox, flower vase, Mansa Saj, ash-tray and other items of religious use. These are produced in the following CD Blocks: Taldangra, Sonamukhi, Sarenga, Bankura I and Bankura II. Roofing tiles and well rings are produced in Saltora and Simlpal CD Blocks. Around 3,200 families were involved in pottery making in the district in 2002. 20 families were involved in Simlapal CD Block.[25]

Banking

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD Block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 4 gramin banks.[22]

Transport

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD Block had 10 originating/ terminating bus routes. The nearest railway railway station is 42 km from the CD Block headquarters.[22]

State Highway 2 (West Bengal) running from Bankura to Malancha (in North 24 Parganas district) and State Highway 9 (West Bengal) running from Durgapur (in Bardhaman district) to Nayagram (in Paschim Medinipur district) pass through this CD Block.[26]

Education

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD Block had 173 primary schools with 11,160 students, 20 middle schools with 3,645 students, 7 high schools with 2,353 students and 14 higher secondary schools with 15,575 students. Simlapal CD Block had 236 institutions for special and non-formal education with 7,839 students.[27]

Healthcare

In 2014, Simlapal CD Block had 1 rural hospital and 3 primary health centres with total 50 beds and 8 doctors. It had 21 family welfare sub centres and 1 family welfare centre. 7,419 patients were treated indoor and 153,615 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.[28]

References

  1. 1 2 O’Malley, L.S.S. "Bengal District Gazetteers: Bankura". Bankura District Authorities. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  2. ↑ Singh, Vijayita. "Red Corridor to be redrawn". The Hindu, 25 July 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Bankura District Police". Bankura Police District Authorities. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Lalgarh Battle". Frontline. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  5. ↑ "Kishenji's death a serious blow to Maoist movement". The Hindu. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  6. ↑ O’Malley, L.S.S., ICS, Bankura, Bengal District Gazetteers, pp. 1-20, first published 1908, 1995 reprint, Government of West Bengal
  7. ↑ "Kangsabati Reservoir Project". Irrigation and Waterways Department. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "Simlapal Block". onefivenine. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "Tehsil Map of Bankura". CD Block/ Tehsil. Maps of India. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  10. ↑ "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura". Tables 2.1, 2.2. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "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 27 August 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  13. ↑ "Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Bankura District". Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "Bankura District: Census 2011 data". 2016 Digital Trends. Census Population 2015 Data. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  16. 1 2 "Provisional population tables and annexures" (PDF). Census 2011:Table 2(3) Literates and Literacy rates by sex. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "Bengal District Gazetteers: Bankura by L.S.S.O'Malley, first published 1908, reprint 1995" (PDF). Language p. 51-52. Bankura District Administration. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  18. ↑ "District Human Development Report: Bankura" (PDF). April 2007. Page: 254. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  19. 1 2 3 "C1 Population by Religious Community". West Bengal. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  20. ↑ "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 August 2016.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "District Human Development Report: Bankura" (PDF). April 2007. Pages: 1-8, 18, 27- 47, 237-243. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura". Tables 21.1, 8.2, 8.2(a), 5.1, 5.1(b), 16.1, 17.2, 18.2, 18.1, 18.3, 20.1, 21,2, 4.1, 3.1, 3.3 – arranged as per use. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  23. ↑ "District Human Development Report: Bankura" (PDF). April 2007. Page: 58. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  24. ↑ "District Human Development Report: Bankura" (PDF). April 2007. Page: 85. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  25. ↑ "District Human Development Report: Bankura" (PDF). April 2007. Pages: 83-84. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  26. ↑ "List of State Highways in West Bengal". West Bengal Traffic Police. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura". Tables 4.4. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  28. ↑ "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura". Tables 3.1, 3.2, 3.3. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
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