Dakshin Dinajpur district

History

The erstwhile Dinajpur District, 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 1 April 1992.

Economy

Dakshin Dinajpur is predominantly an agricultural district with large area of land being under cultivation. The district is drained by north-south flowing rivers like Atreyee, Purnabhaba, Tangon and Brahmani, to give rise to a sizeable, unorganised 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. There is one State Highway with only 3 km of National Highway No. 34 in the district. A new railway line has been laid between Eklakhi and Balurghat, the district headquarters. Train services was started on 30 December 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).

Administrative subdivisions

The district comprises two subdivisions: Balurghat and Gangarampurpur. Balurghat consists of Balurghat municipality and four community development blocks: Hili, Balurghat, Kumarganj and Tapan. Gangarampur subdivision consists of Gangarampur municipality and four community development blocks: Gangarampur, Banshihari, Harirampur and Kushmandi. Balurghat is the district headquarters. There are eight police stations, eight development blocks, two municipalities, 65 gram panchayats and 2317 villages in this district.

Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocs which are divided into rural areas and census towns. There are two urban units, both municipalities. Chak Bhrigu and Baidynathpara were two urban outgrowths noted in census 2001.

Balurghat subdivision

Gangarampur subdivision

Assembly constituencies

The district is divided into six assembly constituencies:

1. Kushmandi (SC) (assembly constituency no. 33),
2. Gangarampur (assembly constituency no. 35),
3. Tapan (ST) (assembly constituency no. 40,
4. Kumarganj (assembly constituency no. 37),
5. Balurghat (assembly constituency no. 38).
6. Itahar(Vidhan sabha constituency)/Itahar

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 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 six assembly constituencies:

1. Kushmandi (SC) (assembly constituency no. 37),
2. Kumarganj (assembly constituency no. 38),
3. Balurghat (assembly constituency no. 39),
4. Tapan (ST) (assembly constituency no. 40),
5. Gangarampur (SC) (assembly constituency no. 41) and
6. Harirampur (assembly constituency no. 42).

Tapan constituency will be reserved for ST candidates. Kushmandi and Gangarampur constituencies will be reserved for 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).

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Dakshin Dinajpur district has a population of 1,670,931 with a Muslim population of 44.01%, 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 roughly equal population of Hindu and Muslim community living peacefully in the traditional liberal Bengali society. The district has a population density of 753 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,950/sq mi). 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%.

Languages

Bengali is the principal language of the district. The principal communities are Hindus and Muslims, constituting the major portion of the population.

Education

There is one engineering college but no medical college. There are a few good schools in Balurghat and Gangarampur. Many government schools exist throughout the district. Balurghat College is the most popular college in the district. A government-funded girls' college is in Balurghat. Balurghat has a law college and a B.Ed college. A college of agriculture has been set up under Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya at Majhian, 10 km from Balurghat. An agricultural Regional Research Station for Old Alluvial Zone under Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya is operating at Majhian.