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Zilla Parishad

( https://puruliazillaparishad.in )

Smt. Nivedita Mahato

(Sabhadhipati, Purulia Zilla Parishad)

Phone: 03252-222255(O),222251(R), Fax: 03252-222575
E-mail: sabhadhipatizp-prl[at]nic[dot]in

AT A GLANCE

3.2% of the State population lives in 7% of geographical area of West Bengal Level of Urbanisation is very poor: 9.4% of the District population is urbanized as against 27.5% of the State. ST population 19% of District total is higher than that of the State 5.6% SC popln. 19.4% of District total is less than State’s 23.6% Female literacy (2001) is very low (lowest in the State): 33% of females (above 6 year) in the District, while it is 60.22% at State. 72% of the farmers in the district are Marginal and 21% small . Current fallow 12% of geographical area in the district is the highest in the State (2.4%) Of workers 40.5% are cultivators in the district while the same is 26.7% in the State. High engagement is in the primary sector (77%) in the District while the same is 56.5% in the State. This is highly vulnerable considering uncertain rainfall, prevalent local culture for khariff paddy and neglect to dry land farming which has good scope. Yield of cereals of the district (1565 kg/h) is much lower than State average (2187) compared to 2777 at Barddhaman. While growth (1980-97) in yield of cereal in the State was by 50% the same was only 17% in the District, While growth in production of cereals during same period in the State was 68% the same was only 42% in the District However Purulia has shown growth, by 12%, in pulse production during the above period while the State has shown a decline by 27%.

Unfortunately growth in yield of pulses is only 9% at the district while the same is as high as 62% of the State. High potentiality of pulse is marred by its poor yield. 40% of villages ( mouzas) in the district are listed as Backward.. Total food production (MT/capita /year) in the district (0.23) is higher than that of the State (0.18). This indicates high disparity in affordability in view of high backwardness, high traditional apathy toward change, Index of agricultural production taking 1972 as base (100) is one of the lowest ( Purulia 166.5, Birbhum 163, Jalpaiguri 156 Coochbehar 168).

It reflects upon lack of soil-suitable practices, irrigation, seeds, underutilization of existing potentialities, awareness for techniques, management, opportunities for market-ing, and initiative, Irrigation by dug well is highest in the State and action should be taken to improve moisture retention in the soil through surface water management for recharging underground source. Population (2001) per village is extremely skewed in the district. For example at Baghmundi 12 % villages are with less than 99 people, 37 % with 100-499, (cumulatively 49 % below 500 ), 23 % with 500-999 and 28 % above 1000. At Jaipur these are 5%, 23%, 28%, 24% and 14% respectively.

Considering viability of basic provisions like health, education etc ( as stipulated by the Government with respect to population and area served) a large number of villages can not afford such facilities. While it is not possible to relocate them, it is necessary to think of mobile facilities managed by Panchayats NGOs. In view of uncertainty of rainfall, poor soil quality— the existing culture of dry land farming ( but with very crude approach) has to be strengthened by introducing improved technologies, varieties, processing, value addition, marketing.

Programmes Implemented by Zilla Parishad

  • District Primary Education Programme
  • Continuing Education Programme
  • SSA (Sarba Siksha Abhijan)
  • West Bengal Rural Employment Grantee Scheme
  • Sampurna Gramin Rojgar Yojana
  • Indira Abas Yojana
  • Swarana Jayanti Sorojgar Yojana
  • Total Sanitation Campaign
  • Community Health Care Management Initiative
  • Aids Control Programme
  • Positive Deviance
  • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana
  • 12th Finance Commission
  • 2nd Finance (State) Commission
  • PUP
  • MPLAD
  • REDC
  • Sishu Siksha Karmasuchi
  • Madhamik Siksha Karmasuchi
  • Computer
  • Decentralised Planning
  • Socio Economic Survey
  • Drinking Water Facilities
  • Pisciculture
  • Horticulture
  • Aforestation
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Small Scale Industry
  • Khadi Gramudyog
  • Tasar Silpa
  • Etc.

(Source: DICO, Purulia)