Dakshin Dinajpur
Encyclopedia
Dakshin Dinajpur or South Dinajpur (Bengali: দক্ষিণ দিনাজপুর জেলা) is a district of the India
n state of West Bengal
. Created on 1 April 1992 by the division of the erstwhile West Dinajpur district
, it comprises two subdivisions: Balurghat
and Buniadpur. As of 2011 it is the least populous district of West Bengal (out of 19
).
, at the time of the partition of India
, was split up into West Dinajpur district
and East Dinajpur. The East Dinajpur district, now called Dinajpur
, became part of East Pakistan
, now Bangladesh
. The West Dinajpur district was enlarged in 1956, when States Reorganisation Act
recommendations were implemented, with the addition of some areas of Bihar
. The district was bifurcated into Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur on April 1, 1992.
, Purnabhaba
, Tangon
and Brahmani, to give rise to a sizeable but unorganized fishing community.
Dakshin Dinajpur is a "Non Industry" district having no large scale industry. The first industry in medium scale sector got off to a start in the district in November, 2003. Internet access is available from most of the cities, even though broadband connections are not available. As for transport, there is one State Highway with only 3 km of National Highway No. 34 falling within the district. A new railway line has been laid between Eklakhi and Balurghat
, the district headquarter. Train services has been started on December 30, 2004.
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj
named Dakshin Dinajpur one of the country's 250 most backward districts
(out of a total of 640
). It is one of the eleven districts in West Bengal currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
municipality and four community development blocks: Hili, Balurghat, Kumarganj and Tapan. Buniadpur subdivision consists of Gangarampur
municipality and four community development blocks: Gangarampur, Banshihari, Harirampur and Kushmandi. Balurghat
is the district headquarters. There are 8 police stations, 8 development blocks, 2 municipalities, 65 gram panchayat
s and 2317 villages in this district.
Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocs which in turn are divided into rural areas and census towns. In total there are 2 urban units, both of which are municipalities. Chak Bhrigu and Baidynathpara were two urban outgrowths noted in census 2001.
Tapan constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates. Kushmandi constituency is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Along with one assembly constituency from North Dinajpur district, the six assembly constituencies of this district form the Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency)
, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates.
Tapan constituency will be reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates. Kushmandi and Gangarampur constituencies will be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Along with one assembly constituency from North Dinajpur district, the six assembly constituencies of this district will form the Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency)
.
has a population
of 1,670,931 , roughly equal to the nation of Guinea-Bissau
or the US state of Idaho
. This gives it a ranking of 295th in India (out of a total of 640
). The district has a population density of 753 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 11.16 %. Dakshin Dinajpur has a sex ratio
of 954 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 73.86 %.
is the principal language of the district. The principal communities are Hindu
s and Muslims
, constituting the major portion of the population.
, in Balurghat
. Many other Government schools also exist throughout the district. Balurghat College
is the most popular college in the district. A Government-funded girls' college also exists in Balurghat
. Balurghat
also has a law college and a B.Ed college.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
. Created on 1 April 1992 by the division of the erstwhile West Dinajpur district
West Dinajpur district
West Dinajpur district was a district of the state of West Bengal from 1947 to 1992. At India's independence, the former Dinajpur district of undivided Bengal was partitioned along religious lines, and West Dinajpur became one of the 14 districts of West Bengal...
, it comprises two subdivisions: Balurghat
Balurghat subdivision
Balurghat subdivision is a subdivision of the South Dinajpur district in the state of West Bengal, India. It consists of Balurghat municipality and four community development blocs: Hili, Balurghat, Kumarganj and Tapan. The four blocks contain 35 gram panchayats...
and Buniadpur. As of 2011 it is the least populous district of West Bengal (out of 19
Districts of West Bengal
The Indian state of West Bengal borders with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam and Sikkim. The Himalayas lies in the north of the state and the Bay of Bengal is at the south. In between them, the river Ganges flows eastwards and its main...
).
History
The erstwhile Dinajpur DistrictDinajpur District, Bangladesh
Dinajpur is a district in Northern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rangpur Division.- Geography :Dinajpur is bounded by Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts in the north, Gaibandha and Joypurhat districts in the south, Nilphamari and Rangpurdistricts in the east, and the state of West Bengal, India...
, at the time of the partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
, was split up into West Dinajpur district
West Dinajpur district
West Dinajpur district was a district of the state of West Bengal from 1947 to 1992. At India's independence, the former Dinajpur district of undivided Bengal was partitioned along religious lines, and West Dinajpur became one of the 14 districts of West Bengal...
and East Dinajpur. The East Dinajpur district, now called Dinajpur
Dinajpur District, Bangladesh
Dinajpur is a district in Northern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rangpur Division.- Geography :Dinajpur is bounded by Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts in the north, Gaibandha and Joypurhat districts in the south, Nilphamari and Rangpurdistricts in the east, and the state of West Bengal, India...
, became part of East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
, now Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. The West Dinajpur district was enlarged in 1956, when States Reorganisation Act
States Reorganisation Act
The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was a major reform of the boundaries and governance of India's states and territories. The act reorganised the boundaries of India's states along linguistic lines, and amended the Indian Constitution to replace the three types of states, known as Parts A, B,...
recommendations were implemented, with the addition of some areas of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. The district was bifurcated into Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur on April 1, 1992.
Economy
Dakshin Dinajpur is predominantly an agricultural district with large area of land being under cultivation. The district is drained by a number of North-South flowing river like AtreyeeAtrai River
Atrai River flows in West Bengal and northern parts of Bangladesh.In ancient times the river was called Atrei and finds a mention in the Mahabharata. It is linked with Karatoya River. It originates in West Bengal and then after flowing through Dinajpur District of Bangladesh, it enters India again...
, Purnabhaba
Punarbhaba River
The Punarbhaba is a river of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India, of total length about 160 km and a width of 3–8 km and it's mean depth is It originates from the lowlands of Thakurgaon District of Bangladesh. The river's upper part is a few kilometres west of Atrai. Dinajpur district...
, Tangon
Tangon River
Tangon River is a river passing through the Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is tributary of Punarbhaba River...
and Brahmani, to give rise to a sizeable but unorganized fishing community.
Dakshin Dinajpur is a "Non Industry" district having no large scale industry. The first industry in medium scale sector got off to a start in the district in November, 2003. Internet access is available from most of the cities, even though broadband connections are not available. As for transport, there is one State Highway with only 3 km of National Highway No. 34 falling within the district. A new railway line has been laid between Eklakhi and Balurghat
Balurghat
Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh...
, the district headquarter. Train services has been started on December 30, 2004.
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a branch of the Government of India looking after the ongoing process of decentralization and local governance in the States....
named Dakshin Dinajpur one of the country's 250 most backward districts
Poverty in India
Poverty is widespread in India, with the nation estimated to have a third of the world's poor. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate, 41.6% of the total Indian population falls below the international poverty line of 1.25 a day...
(out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). It is one of the eleven districts in West Bengal currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Administrative subdivisions
The district comprises two subdivisions: Balurghat and Buniadpur. Balurghat consists of BalurghatBalurghat
Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh...
municipality and four community development blocks: Hili, Balurghat, Kumarganj and Tapan. Buniadpur subdivision consists of Gangarampur
Gangarampur
Gangarampur is a town and a municipality in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Geography:Gangarampur is located at . It has an average elevation of 25 metres .-Demographics:...
municipality and four community development blocks: Gangarampur, Banshihari, Harirampur and Kushmandi. Balurghat
Balurghat
Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh...
is the district headquarters. There are 8 police stations, 8 development blocks, 2 municipalities, 65 gram panchayat
Gram panchayat
Gram panchayats are local self-governments at the village or small town level in India. As of 2002 there were about 265,000 gram panchayats in India. The gram panchayat is the foundation of the Panchayat System. A gram panchayat can be set up in villages with minimum population of 300...
s and 2317 villages in this district.
Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocs which in turn are divided into rural areas and census towns. In total there are 2 urban units, both of which are municipalities. Chak Bhrigu and Baidynathpara were two urban outgrowths noted in census 2001.
Balurghat subdivision
- BalurghatBalurghatBalurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh...
: municipality - Hili (Community development block)Hili (Community development block)Hili is an administrative division in Balurghat subdivision of Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Hili police station serves this block...
consists of rural areas only with 5 gram panchayats. - Balurghat (Community development block)Balurghat (Community development block)Balurghat is an administrative division in Balurghat subdivision of Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Balurghat police station serves this block. Headquarters of this block is at Beltola Park...
consists of rural areas only with 11 gram panchayats. - Kumarganj (Community development block) consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
- Tapan (Community development block) consists of rural areas only with 11 gram panchayats.
Buniadpur subdivision
- GangarampurGangarampurGangarampur is a town and a municipality in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Geography:Gangarampur is located at . It has an average elevation of 25 metres .-Demographics:...
: municipality - Gangarampur (Community development block)Gangarampur (Community development block)Gangarampur is an administrative division in Gangarampur subdivision of Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Gangarampur police station serves this block...
consists of rural areas only with 11 gram panchayats. - Bansihari (Community development block) consists of rural areas only with 5 gram panchayats.
- Harirampur (Community development block) consists of rural areas only with 6 gram panchayats.
- Kushmandi (Community development block) consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
Assembly constituencies
The district is divided into 5 assembly constituencies:- Kushmandi (SC)Kushmandi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Kushmandi is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The seat is reserved for scheduled castes.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 33), - GangarampurGangarampur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Gangarampur is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The seat is reserved for scheduled castes.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 35), - Tapan (ST)Tapan (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Tapan is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The seat is reserved for scheduled tribes.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 36), - KumarganjKumarganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Kumarganj is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 37), - BalurghatBalurghat (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Balurghat is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 38) and
Tapan constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates. Kushmandi constituency is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Along with one assembly constituency from North Dinajpur district, the six assembly constituencies of this district form the Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency)
Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency)
Balurghat is one of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The constituency centres on Balurghat in West Bengal...
, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates.
Impact of delimitation of constituencies
As per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in the West Bengal, the district will be divided into 6 assembly constituencies:- Kushmandi (SC)Kushmandi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Kushmandi is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The seat is reserved for scheduled castes.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 37), - KumarganjKumarganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Kumarganj is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 38), - BalurghatBalurghat (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Balurghat is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 39), - Tapan (ST)Tapan (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Tapan is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The seat is reserved for scheduled tribes.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 40), - Gangarampur (SC)Gangarampur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Gangarampur is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The seat is reserved for scheduled castes.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 41) and - HarirampurHarirampur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)Harirampur is an assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Harirampur constituency came into existence in 2011.-Extent:As per orders of the Delimitation Commission, No...
(assembly constituency no. 42).
Tapan constituency will be reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates. Kushmandi and Gangarampur constituencies will be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Along with one assembly constituency from North Dinajpur district, the six assembly constituencies of this district will form the Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency)
Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency)
Balurghat is one of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The constituency centres on Balurghat in West Bengal...
.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 1,670,931 , roughly equal to the nation of Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
or the US state of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. This gives it a ranking of 295th in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). The district has a population density of 753 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 11.16 %. Dakshin Dinajpur has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 954 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 73.86 %.
Languages
BengaliBengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
is the principal language of the district. The principal communities are Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s and Muslims
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, constituting the major portion of the population.
Education
There is one Engineering College but no Medical College. But it does have a few good schools including The Atreyee English Medium SchoolThe Atreyee English Medium School
Atreyee D. A. V. Public School, India, , Balurghat, affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education was established in 1976. It has co-educational classes, from Nursery to Class XII...
, in Balurghat
Balurghat
Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh...
. Many other Government schools also exist throughout the district. Balurghat College
Balurghat College
Balurghat College is a co-ed institution of higher education located in Balurghat, Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India.Balurghat College was established in June, 1948, as an intermediate liberal arts college, with 96 students. In 1950, the college was recognized by the UGC, and it is...
is the most popular college in the district. A Government-funded girls' college also exists in Balurghat
Balurghat
Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh...
. Balurghat
Balurghat
Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili Balurghat is the headquarters of the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal in India. Hili (Bangladesh...
also has a law college and a B.Ed college.