Mejia (community development block)

For other uses, see Mejia (disambiguation).
Mejia
মেজিয়া
Community Development Block
সমষ্টি উন্নয়ন ব্লক
Mejia

Location in West Bengal, India

Coordinates: 23°34′N 87°06′E / 23.57°N 87.10°E / 23.57; 87.10Coordinates: 23°34′N 87°06′E / 23.57°N 87.10°E / 23.57; 87.10
Country  India
State West Bengal
District Bankura
Government
 • Type Community development block
Area
 • Total 162.87 km2 (62.88 sq mi)
Elevation 92 m (302 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 86,188
 • Density 530/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Bengali, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 722 143 (Mejhia)
Telephone/STD code 03241
Vehicle registration WB-67, WB-68
Literacy 66.83%
Sex ratio 926 ♂/♀
Lok Sabha constituency Bankura
Vidhan Sabha constituency Saltora
Website bankura.gov.in

Mejia (also spelled Mejhia) is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Bankura Sadar subdivision of Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

History

From Bishnupur kingdom to the British Raj

From around 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]

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.[2]

The western part of the district has poor, ferruginous soil and hard beds of laterite with scrub jungles. There are irregular patches of more recent alluvium. During the long dry season large extents of red soil with hardly any trees lend the country a scorched and dreary appearance. In the eastern part the eye constantly rests on wide expanses of rice fields, green in the rains but parched and dry in summer.[2]

There are two are two moderately high hills – Biharinath (in Saltora CD Block) and Susunia (in Chhatna CD Block). While the former rises to a height of 448 metres (1,470 ft), the latter attains a height of 440 metres (1,440 ft).[2]

Rivers

The district has hilly streams originating in the highland in the east and flowing from the north-east to the south-west. The Damodar forms the northern border with Bardhaman district and then flows into that district. The Sali is a tributary of the Damodar. Amongst the other rivers (flowing in parallel from the north) are: the Dwarakeshwar, the Shilabati and the Kangsabati. The Gandheswari is an important tributary of the Dwarakesswar.[2]

The Kangsabati Project consists of a dam across the Kangsabati in Khatra CD Block and three pick-up barrages – Shilabati, Bhairabbanki and Tarafeny.[3]

Location

Mejia is located at 23°34′N 87°06′E / 23.57°N 87.10°E / 23.57; 87.10.[4] It has an average elevation of 77 m (253 ft).

Mejia CD Block is bounded by Raniganj and Andal CD Blocks, in Bardhaman district, across the Damodar on the north, Barjora CD Block on the east, Gangajalghati CD Block on the south and Saltora CD Block on the west.[5][6]

It is located 44 km from Bankura, the district headquarters.[5]

Area and administration

Mejia CD Block has an area of 162.87 km2. It has 1 panchayat samity, 5 gram panchayats, 65 gram sansads (village councils), 75 mouzas and 72 inhabited villages. Mejia police station serves this block.[7]Headquarters of this CD Block is at Mejia.[8]

Gram panchayats

Gram panchayats of Mejia block/ panchayat samiti are: Ardhagram, Banjora, Kustora, Mejia and Ramchandrapur.[9]

Demographics

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Mejhia CD Block had a total population of 86,188, all of which were rural. There were 44,575 (52%) males and 41,613 (48%) females. Population below 6 years was 11,002. Scheduled Castes numbered 29,956 (34.19%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 2,114 (2.45%).[10]

In the 2001 census, Mejia community development block had a population of 76,117 out of which 39,518 were males and 36,599 were females. Decadal growth for the period 1991-2001 was 9.85% for Mejia, against 13.79% in Bankura district.[11] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84%.[12]

Villages

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Mejia CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Mejhia (5,308) and Tarapur (4,611).[10]

Other villages in Mejia CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Ramchandrapur (2,680), Banjora (1,529), Kustor (3,278) and Arddhagram (1,189).[10]

Literacy

As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Mejia CD Block was 50,244 (66.83% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 30,291 (77.88% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 19,953 (54.98%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 22.89%.[10]

As per the 2011 census, literacy in Bankura district was 70.26%, up from 63.44 in 2001 and 52.00% in 1991.[13] Literacy in West Bengal was 77.08% in 2011.[14] Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%.[14]

As per the 2001 census there were 11 CD Blocks in Bankura district where the female literacy rate was below 50%. These blocks are Saltora, Hirbandh, Chhatna, Ranibandh, Mejia, Patrasayer, Indpur, Bishnupur, Gangajalghati, Onda and Sonamukhi. These CD Blocks come uner the National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level and special programmes have been taken up for the education of girl children.[15]

Normally villages have a primary school within the mouza. However, there is no primary school or sishu siksha kendra within 1 km in 64 mouzas of Bankura district.[15]

Similarly, an upper primary school or a madhyamik shiksha kendra is more than 3 km away in 23 mouzas. There are mouzas such as Gosaindihi in Puddi panchayat and Lep-am in Barikul panchayat of Ranibandh CD Block where upper primary schools are 13–14 km away.[15]

The Midday Meal Scheme covered all primary schools and sishu siksha kendras by March 2005. Efforts were on to cover the upper primary and high schools. The number of children provided with cooked miday meals was 344,746 in 3,460 primary schools and 453 sishu siksha kendras.[15]

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

Language

Bengali is the local language in these areas.[5]

Religion

Religion in Mejia CD Block
Hindu
  
 94.48%
Muslim
  
 3.43%
Christian
  
 0.01%
Others
  
 2.08%

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 81,428 and formed 94.48% of the population in Mejia CD Block. Muslims numbered 2,953 and formed 3.43% of the population. Christians numbered 11 and formed 0.01% of the population. Others numbered 1,796 and formed 2.08% of the population.[16] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,[17] and other religious communities.[16]

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.[16]

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.[18]

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.[18]

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.[18]

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. It 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 hectares from deep tubewells, 59,787 hectares from surface flow, 10,758 hectares from surface lift in Bankura district.[18]

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.[18]

(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, Mejia CD Block had 24.17 km of surfaced roads under PWD, 12.39 km surfaced roads and 4.82 km unsurfaced roads under Zilla Parishad, 12.50 km surfaced roads and 205.00 km unsurfaced roads under Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti and 20.40 km surfaced roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.[19]

72 or 96% of mouzas in Mejia 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.[19]

75 mouzas in Mejia CD Block had drinking water facilities in 2013-14. There were 12 fertiliser depots, 5 seed stores and 34 fair price shops in the CD Block.[19]

Coal

Coal in Raniganj formation is found in Mejia CD Block. The seams at shallow depth have non-coking coal suitable for use in thermal power plants. As per the Geological Survey of India, proved reserve is 13.14 million tonnes and indicated reserve is 197.37 million tonnes.[20]

Mejia Cement Plant

Mejia Cement Plant of Lafarge India is a grinding unit with an annual capacity of 1 million tonnes of cement. It has been operational from March 2009.[21]

Ferrous industries

Sova Ispat Limited, at Mejia, produces sponge iron, rolled products, ferro alloys and pig iron and has a captive power plant. It employs 5,000 people. Ma Amba Sponge Iron Pvt. Ltd. employs 250 people.[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.[19]

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Mejia CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 8.37%, patta (document) holders 20.16%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 4.72%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 29.47% and agricultural labourers 37.28%.[19]

In 2003-04 net area sown in Mejia CD Block was 8436 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 2,196 hectares.[23]

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Mejia CD Block was 2,853 hectares, out of which 1,556 hectares by tank water, 720 hectares by river lift irrigation, 327 hectares by shallow tubewells, 100 hectares by open dug wells and 150 hectres by other methods.[19]

In 2013-14, Mejia CD Block produced 2,858 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 1,371 hectares and 12 tonnes of wheat from 6 hectares It also produced pulses and mustard.[19]

Pisciculture

In Mejia CD Block, the net area under effective pisciculture was 485 hectares in 2013-14. 3,360 persons were engaged in the profession. Approxiate annual production was 8,870 quintals.[19]

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 Mejia CD Block had 169 looms in operation.[24]

Pottery

Bankura district is famous 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. 116 families were involved in Mejia CD Block.[25]

Banking

In 2013-14, Mejia CD Block had offices of 2 commercial banks and 2 gramin banks.[19]

Transport

In 2013-14, Mejia CD Block had 3 ferry services and 7 originating/ terminating bus routes.[19]

NH 14, (old numbering NH 60), running from Morgram to Kharagpur, passes through this CD Block.[26]

There is a bridge across the Damodar River. It is 35 km from Durgapur.

Education

In 2013-14, Mejia CD Block had 75 primary schools with 6,657 students, 12 middle schools with 1,609 students, 4 high schools with 3,236 students and 6 higher secondary schools with 5,275 students. Mejia CD Block had 125 institutions for special and non-formal education with 4,022 students. Mejia CD Block had 5 mass literacy centres.[27]

Healthcare

In 2014, Mejia CD Block had 1 rural hospital, 1 block primary health centre and 3 primary health centres with 44 beds and 5 doctors. It had 15 family welfare sub centres and 1 family welfare centre. 4,646 patients were treated indoor and 125,672 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. 1 2 3 4 O’Malley, L.S.S., ICS, Bankura, Bengal District Gazetteers, pp. 1-20, first published 1908, 1995 reprint, Government of West Bengal
  3. ↑ "Kangsabati Reservoir Project". Irrigation and Waterways Department. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  4. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Mejia
  5. 1 2 3 "Mejhia Block". onefivenine. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Tehsil Map of Bankura". CD Block/ Tehsil. Maps of India. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  7. ↑ "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura". Tables 2.1, 2.2,. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "District Census Handbook: Bankura" (PDF). Map of Bankura with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page). Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "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.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "Bnkura District: Census 2011 data". 2016 Digital Trends. Census Population 2015 Data. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  14. 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.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "District Human Development Report: Bankura" (PDF). April 2007. Pages: 150-120, 121-123, 131. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  16. 1 2 3 "C1 Population by Religious Community". West Bengal. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. ↑ "Natural Resources at Bankura". Minerals – coal. Bankura district authority. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  21. ↑ "Mejia Cement Plant" (PDF). Lafarge India. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  22. ↑ "Bankura district". West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation. Retrieved 25 August 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. ↑ "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways" (PDF). New Delhi: Department of Road Transport and Highways. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura". Tables 4.4, 4.6. 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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