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Chapter-4
A BRIEF HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
ACCOUNT OF THE DISTRICT OF PURULIA
The main domain of governance is society where people live.
Society is composed of network of relationships among people. This
relationship further develops through different types of organizations and
institutions. In this way, the study of governance is accompanied by
different types of organizations and institutions of the people. The nature
of organizations and institutions varies according to their social
environment. Social environment composed of human beings with their
divisions, and different types of associations, organizations, such as, trade
unions, N.G.Os, C.B.Os, families, tribal groups, charities, political
organizations, co-operatives, cultural groups, environmental groups,
professional associations and many other organizations like these. The
role and activities of these organizations and institutions together create
the social-environment. This social environment further creates specific
pattern of culture with values, beliefs, norms of the people belonging to
the society. The study of governance varies from one society to another in
accordance with the contextual variations of the societies. There is
difference among the societies in terms of people, history, culture, values,
socio-economic structure, development, geography, and politics and so
on. Growth of different types of social associations and organizations in a
society makes healthy atmosphere of governance. We have pointed out in
our chapter 2, that organizations and institutions are the social
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our chapter 2, that organizations and institutions are the social
composition through which human life is organized and coordinated.
Organized social environment is the pre-condition of socio-political and
economic development of any society.
Again, development of organizations and institutions alone cannot create
an environment of creative healthy society. Role of the organizer is also
important in this regard. So, the role performed by the members of theses
social as well as political organizations is very much crucial in the
making of governance. Effective performance of the representatives of
the institutions improves the quality of the society with its organizations
and institutions. Healthy society can produce quality leadership for the
governmental institutions. Thus, institutions and the actors together
played important role in the formation of a healthy society. Healthy
society produces good governance for their people.
So, the political question of governance has to be taken down to
the level of society. It is the 'context' which will explain the variations of
governance from one society to another. Governance relies on the perfect
designing of the governmental institutions in a particular set of society.
As the political, social and economic environment of the society vary
within time and space, the performance of the governmental institutions
also varies according to that level. Governmental institutions enact
legislations, and enforce those legislations with the help of its members
and its organizations. So, it is the quality of the members and the
performance of the institutions which can develop the level of governance
of a particular society at a particular time. A rich network of socio
economic structures of any society helps to produce quality leadership
and can create ideal atmosphere of co-operation and governance. The
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main task of the institutions is to deliver goods and services to the people
by making arrangements for them: shelter, medical facilities, education,
· drinking water, roads, electricity, jobs and so on. Thus, in the making of
governance, the role of the political institutions and their leaders as well
as the informal institutions of the society is very much crucial.
Under these contextual variations of social domains and within the
limit of time and space, the changing patterns of governance in the district
of Purulia are studied here. For this purpose a panoramic view of the
historical, social, economic and political conditions of the district of
Purulia has been given in the following pages as a back-drop of the study
of governance. This chapter, therefore, outlines a short profile of the
district of Purulia. Information relating to the district profile has been
collected from various sources like books, journals, periodicals,
newspapers, official records and reports, district gazetteer and so on.
A brief historical account of the district is necessary for
understanding the formation of the Purulia district. Purulia was formerly
known as Manbhum district, of Bihar. Prior to that, it was the part of the
district of 'Jungal Mahal' (A forestry territorial estates in India). The
erstwhile Manbhum district became Purulia as a part of West Bengal, in
the year 1956. In order to know the formation of the district as an
administrative unit, we have to go back to the history of 'Jungle Mahal'
(estates) and subsequently Manbhum district.
"Jungle Mahals" (estates) were too large an area covering the districts of
Bardhaman, Bankura, Birbhum, Midnapore, Panchet etc. and many of the
Parganas (A group of towns in West Bengal) to maintain law and order
simation. In order to protect frequent uprisings by the Zamindars, their
former Pailcs and dacoits at the same time, it was realized by the British
124
Government that a new district has to be formed to maintain law and
order situation of the Mahal (A territorial division in India) areas in an
appropriate manner. From this urge, the Jungle Mahal district including
the part of today's Purulia was formed as a part of the large areas of
Jungles (forestry).
The tribal people inhabited the area. These tribal groups were organized
under village heads known as 'ghatwals', 'Mundas', and divisional heads
known as 'Mankis'. Ethnically, the aborigines are the Kurmis, Santals,
Bhumijs, Bauris, Koras, Majhis, Kheria, Sabar and Mundas. Their
descendants are the large part of the present day's population of the
district ofPurulia (About 19.2 percent). 1 The number ofBhumijs has been
gradually decreasing during the last few decades. In the year 1872, their
numbers were 90,216 in the Manbhum district and in the year 1881 they
were 1, 04,358 and at present time (1991) their number has been reduced
to below 50,000.2 They are economically backward, living in rural areas
often below poverty line, illiterate and mostly landless laborers. They
were being deprived from almost all kinds of social amenities to lead a
normal social life. The main purpose of the British Government was to
collect revenue from this area and build an appropriate administrative set
up for their protection and to control the rebellion of this communities.
'Jungle Mahal' district was formed in 1805, consisting of the forest
areas of the districts Burdwan, Bankura, Midnapore, and Panchet, and 23
'Mahals' and 'Parganas' with its headquarters in Bankura, by the
Regulation of XVIII. 3 There was a small military establishment at Jhalda
1 Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (in Bengali), (Calcutta: Farma K.L.M, 1986), PP. 214, C0,228, 2 Ibid. PP. 229-31 , 1.) District Gazetteer, Purulia, (Calcutta: Government of West Bengal, 1985), P. 99. 2.)
I . Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulta (Calcutta: Farma K.L.M, 1986), P. 363.
125
and Ragunathpur of the newly formed district and with this military
arrangement the police organization of the district was successful in the
management of law and order problem of the new district for some time.
But, the administrative purpose of the British Government to form
the Jangle Mahal district did not last for a long time. Formation of the
Jungle Mahal district had brought under the district close control of
administration and temporarily helped in maintaining law and order
problems of the district. It has been found that within 25 years of its
formation, the disturbances increased gradually and it culminated in the
revolt of famous Ganga Narayan Hungama (disturbances) in the year
1832. Basically, it was a dispute of two brothers i.e. Madhav Sing and
Ganga Govinda of the estate ofBarabhum as a matter of succession to the
estate of Barabhum Raj. Ganga Narayan was cheated and deprived of
panch sardari (A group of five village leaders supervising land system) by
his brother who was a Diwan of Barabhum and was & blessed child of the
British Government. From his grievances, Ganga Narayan attacked his
brother Madhav Sing and killed him. After killing him, Ganga Narayan
proceeded to grab the whole estate of Barabhum. He started with a force
of three thousand Chuars (A rude, unruly schedule tribes of West Bengal)
from Barabazar of the estate and burnt down the Munsiffs cutchery
(Court of an Officer trying suit at the lowest Civil Court), the office of the
salt darogas (Head of the Police) and also the police Thana. Not only
that, he also compelled the District Magistrate Russel to leave Barabazar
for Bankura. Then he attacked one after another estate like Akro,
Ambikanagar, Raipur, Shyamsundarpur, and Phulkusma giving a great
trouble to the 13ritish administration. The Local Bhumijs also joined the
insurgents of Ganga Narayan. This garb movement was launched
126
throughout the year 1932 and known as famous Ganga Narayan
Hungama. At last Major Braddon and Lieutenant Trimmer arrived with a
force and succeeded in stopping Ganga Narayal)'s grab movement.4
Actually, the Ganga Narayan Hungama was an outburst of
discontents and grievances of Bhumijs (Kole's) against the British
arbitrary power. It will be relevant to mention here that prior to the Ganga
Narayan Hungama; a series of revolts were organized by the Chuars (A
rude, unruly schedule tribes in West Bengal) against the arbitrariness of
the East India Company's rule during the periods 1769, 1771, 1783 and
1798, as their traditional rights, privileges and independence were being
violated by the East India Company. These rebellions were called as first,
second, third, and fourth Chuar revolts by the British Government. 5 The
Chuar rebellions spread out throughout the regions of Ran chi, Hazaribagh
and Palamou districts of the Jungle (forestry) areas.
As a result of Ganga Narayan Hungama, the British government
came to realize that the formation of the 'Jungle Mahal' district was not
sufficient enough for managing law and order situation of the jungle
areas, and a further change of administrative structure was required as
such.
The Chuar rebellions added a new urgency to the re-organization of the
district and as a result of this realization the district "Manbhum" was
formed in the year 1833, with the abolition of the Jungle Mahal district by
the Regulation VIII of 1833. At that time, the geographical area of
Manbhum district was 7896 Sq. kilo meters and 31 Jamindaris were
4 Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (in Bengali) (Calcutta: Farma K.L.M, 1986), P. 21. 2. District Gazetteer, Purulia, (Calcutta: Government of West Bengal, 1985), PP. 101-102. See also Statistical Account ofBenf!al. vol. IV. Calcutta. 187:::. 5 District Gazetteer Puruiia, (C-;.lc~tta: Go~emment of West Bengal, 1985), PP. 95-98.
127
included within this district. Manbhum district had two sub-division i.e .
.Purulia and Govindapur.0 The whole administration was brought under
the control of a new agency, called South-West Frontier Agency. The
Officer of the agency was the agent of the Governor General. The main
functions of the South West Frontier Agency were collection of revenue,
civil and criminal justice, the superintendence of police and so on. The
post of officer, the agent of the Governor General, was renamed as
'Deputy Commissioner' in a further change of regulation in 1854.
In the mean time, the 'Sepoy Rebellion' (Rebellion of Indian
military serving at British Force) took place in 1857. The local garrison of
Purulia (Ramgarh Battalion of the Bengal Army) rose in revolt, and drove
out the English officer, looted the treasury and released the prisoners from
jail of Ranchi. This revolt of Sepoy was successful to hit the British
hegemony to a great extent.
Consequently, a further administrative change was made by which
a large portion of Ramgarh estate was separated from Parganas (A group
of towns in India) of Supur, Raipur, Ambikanagar, Simlapal, Bhalaidiha,
Phulkusma and Shyamsundarpur and transferred to Bankura district. In
this change, the South West Frontier Agency (A part of Parganas) was
renamed as ~ Manbhum' with its headquarters at Manbazar. At the time of
formation of the Manbhum district there were two sub divisions i.e.
Purulia Sadar and Govindapur (presently Dhanbad). The Deputy
Commissioner, the agent of the Governor General, was in charge of
administration of the area.' Within five years of the formation of the
6 I. Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (in Bengali) (Calcutta: Farma K.L.M., I986), P. 22. 2. o~:S.. Hari 5adhan. Purulia Darpan fin Bengali) (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book Supply Agency, 1998), Part 1, P. 3. ' I.) Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (in Bengali) (Calcutta: Farma K.L.M, 1986), P. 22. 2.) District Gazetteer Purulia, (Calcutta: Government of West Bengal, 1985), P. 103.
128
district, in the year 1938, its headquarters was shifted from Manbazar to
Purulia, the -eentre of Jungle, mainly because of lack of water and
communication hazards.
There is a debate and some confusion among the historians
regarding the name of 'Manbhum'. It appears that the name of present
Manbhum has been derived from the rulers of Mana family. Some
historians asserted the view that 'Manbhum' evidently derived its name
from Mahavira who was called the "Venerable Ascetic Mahavira".8
Now we shall try to understand how and when the 'Manbhum'
became 'Purulia' as a part of West Bengal. At the time of formation of the
Manbhum district it was a part of West Bengal. But, after 78 years of its
birth, in the year of 1912, this district was transferred to Chhotanagpur
division of Bihar as a result of the Partition of Bengal. It was the 'divide
and rule' policy of the British Government. In the year 1912, a separate
Province of Bihar and Orrissa was created and Manbhum district was
transferred as a part of Bihar Province, and upto 1953, it had remained as
a part of Bihar. After the inclusion of Manbhum into Bihar, a Constant
effort was made by the regional leaders of the Congress Party of Bihar to
impose 'Hindi' language over Manbhum district. During the year 1912,
at the time of transfer of Manbhum district it was partitioned into two
separate districts i.e., Purulia and Dhanbad. The next history was the
history of freedom struggle.
Purulia district joined in the freedom struggle in 1928, with the
Manbhum district political conference at Ramchandrapur, organized by
the Nibaron Chandra Dasgupta, the editor of the local weekly 'Mukti'
patrika, in which veteran Congress leader Subhas Chandra Bose was
8 Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (Calcutta: Farma K.L.M, 1986), P. 9.
129
presided. The second Manbhum district political conference was held at
Jhalda in 1929, with its president Jatindra Mohan Sengupta and the third
. conference was held in Dhanbad in 1930, with its president Nibaron
Chandra Dasgupta. ~
In the year 1930, Bihar Prodesh Congress Committee observed
'Independence Day' with a great enthusiasm, and as a sequel of this
incident, Purulia Congress Committee also observed the same in the
different parts of the district. In the same year, Purulia Congress
Committee decided to join the 'non-cooperation' movement of the
Congress, which was adopted at the Lahore Congress in 1930. At the
same time, Manbhum district 'Satyagraha Committee' (A committee of
the followers of Gandhiji's non-violence method) was formed. As a
consequences of these conferences and movements, the Manbhum district
Satyagraha Committee was declared by the British Government as
unlawful association and a number of Congress leaders including Nibaron
Chandra Dasgupta were arrested.
After his release in 1931-32, Nibaron Chandra Dasgupta,
Bibhutibhusan Dasgupta and others formed an organization called 'Lok
Sevak Sangha'. The 'Shilpa Ashram' of Purulia was the centre of
activities of 'Lok Sevak Sangha". This organization had played a vital
role to preach the ideals of Gandhiji and the real meaning of swaraj
among the people ofPurulia.
9 1.) Das, Hari Sadhan, Purulia Darpan (in Bengali) (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book $t.tppty Agency; t998), P. 4. 2.) Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (in Bengali) (Calcutta: Fanna K.L.M, I 986), PP. I 82, 185-86. 3.) Bhowmik, S.C. Sekal Ekal Purulia (in Bengali) (Calcutta: Granthana, 1999). PP. 24-25.
130
Since its birth, 'Lok Sevak Sangha' had launched vanous
movements during the periods 1932-1956 for the incorporation of
Manbhum district into a part of West Bengal and against the imposition
of Hindi language over Manbhum. In the year 1942, along with the whole
of India, the Purulia district also joined in quit India movement under the
leadership of Lok Sevak Sangha. As the 'Shilpa Ashram' was its main
centre, police raided this Ashram and the important leaders of the
Congress Party were arrested. The movements ~UP.read out
throughout the district. In the Purulia district, leaflets were distributed;
demonstration and picketing etc. were launched by 'the Satyagrahis
(Followers of Gandhiji's non-violence method) Sayta Kinkar Mahato
gave leadership in the movement of Manbazar Thana. The Manbazar
Thana was attacked by the five hundred Satyagrahi, and police firing took
place, consequently, two persons were killed.
In Barabazar Thana leadership was given by Mandol Mahato,
Mathan Mahato, Vim Mahato and many others. Here also Thana was
attacked and the records of the Thana were burnt down. Police firing took
place and many persons were assaulted and were arrested.
In Bandwan, leadership came from Bhajohari Mahato and Padak
Chandra Mahato. Here a large section of the Bhumijs joined in the
movement, the Satyagrahis planted National flag on the roof of the Thana
and police firing took place, consequently, many of the Satyagrahis were
assaulted.
In Bagmundi and Bhujudi, there were Military observation post;
both were attacked by the. Satyagrahis.
131
It is found in the government report that 452 people were arrested
and 91 were jailed after the movement of Quit India in 1942, in the
Purulia district. 10
Although, between 1930 and 1947 many other organizations
developed in the district of Manbhum, the Lok Sevak Sangha was the
main organization that took part in the freedom struggle.
As, most of the people of the district ofManbhum were Bengali speaking,
there was a general tendency of Manbhum district to become a part of
West Bengal. After independence (1947), the government of India faced
different movements throughout India on the question of state re
organization. Prior to these movements a 'States Reorganization
Commission' was appointed on the basis of language of the majority in
different areas of the country. (Resolution No. 53/69/53, dated 29
December, 1953.n
In 1948, Atul Chandra Ghosh moved a resolution in the Manbhum
District Congress Committee for the inclusion of the district of Purulia in
West Bengal. But this resolution was defeated in the vote. He along with
Bibhutibhusan Dasgupta and other followers resigned from the Congress
and turned the Lok-Sevak Sangha into a district political party. The
immediate object of the party was to build up a mass movement in
support of the district's inclusion in West Bengal.
10 I.) Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (in Bengali) (Calcutta: Farma K.L.M, 1986), PP. 196-(}7.
2.) Das, Hari Sadhan, Purulia Darpan (in Bengali) (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book Supply Agency, 1998), P. 4. . 3.) District Gazetteer, Purulia, West Bengal Government, 1985, P.l05. 4.) Mahato, Bhaja Hari, and Mahato, Padak Chandra. Rakte Ranga Manbhum (in Bengali) (Purulia: Padak Ch. Mahato, 1995), PP. 36-37. d 1. District Gazetteer, Purulia, 1985, P. 105. 2. Bhattacharyya, Tarundev, Purulia (in Bengali} Calcutta: Farma K.L.M, 1986), P. 29.
132
After the formation of the 'States Reorganization Commission~ in
1953, the Govt. of West Bengal, West Bengal Prodesh Congress
Committee, Lok Sevak Sangha and many other organizations submitted
memoranda to the Commission in favour of the inclusion of the district in
West Bengal. At the same time, from Bihar, different organizations along
with the Bihar Government, submitted memoranda opposing the move.
Under these circumstances, report of the 'States Reorganization
Commission' was submitted to the Union Government in 1955.
Commission asserted the view that in Purulia there is an unmistakable
evidence of Bengali influence even today. This sub-district had the largest
concentration of Bengali-speaking people outside West Bengal.
''The transfer of Purulia can be justified on the ground that it will
facilitate the implementation of a flood control-cum irrigation project
which has recently been taken up in West Bengal. The Kansabati (kansai)
river, which rises in Purulia, is of no real importance from the point of
view ofBihar."12
Considering the circumstances referred to above, in which West
Bengal's claim to Manbhum was made, it was proposed that the Purulia
sub-district, excluding the Chas Thana, should be transferred to West
Bengal.
The final decision of the government of India was contained in
clause (b) of sub section I of section I of the Bihar and West Bengal
(Transfer of Territories) Act of 1956, according to which the areas
comprising Purulia sub-division of Manbhum district, excluding the thana
areas of Chas and Chandil and the police out post area of Palamou within
12 District Gazetteer, Puru1ia, 1985, P. 106.
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BlocK NAME
ARSHA BAGHMUNDl BALARAMPUR BARABAZAR BUNDWAN HURA JHALOA-1 JHALDA-11 JOY PUR KASHIPUR MANBAZAR-l MAN BAZAR-II NETURIA PARA PUNCHA PURUUA-1 PURULIA-11 RAGHUNATHPU!t-1 RAGHUNATHPU't-11 SANTURI
Purulia District (Siwwing Different Blocks)
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CJ PURULIA EAST 0 PURULIA WEST D RAGHUNATHPUR
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Source: Office of the District Magistrate, Purulia, West Bengal
133
Barabhum thana was. transferred to West Bengal. Thus, the new district of
Purulia in West Bengal carrie into being on November, 1st, 1956.13
Geographical Location:
The district of Purulia is included in the Burdwan Division of West
Bengal. It is the westernmost district and lies between the latitudes of
22042'0" to 23042'0" North and the Longitudes of 85042'25" to 86054'3711
East, the tropic of cancer passes through the district. The Bay of Bengal
and the Hooghly estuary are within 220 kilometers from the centre of the
district. Its physiographic location .is also distinguished as a zone of
transition betwe~n the young alluvial plains of West Bengal and the
ancient plateau of South East Bihar. The height above the main sea level
of this district is 58 meters. 14
General Boundaries:
Geographically the district is surrounded by a hundred kilometers of the
river Damodar in the North and the Subarnarekha in the West, Bankura
and part of Midnapur in the East, on the North, are Burdwan district of
West Bengal and Dhanbad district of Bihar. On the North-West, the west
and the South-West lies Hazaribagh, Ranchi and Singbhum district of
Bihar respectively. A part of the Northern boundary runs through the
centre of the Panchet reservoir. Similarly, the eastern boundary runs
partly through the centre of the Kansabati reservoir. Map of the district is
attached here showing its geographical boundary and location.
The total area of the district is 6,249 Sq. kilo meters, i.e., 6, 25,900
hectares. Number of Zilla Parishod, Block, Gram Panchayats and Gram
13 1. District Gazetteer, Purulia, 1985, P.I06. 2. Sengupta, Amiya Kr. Amader Purulia (in Bengali) (Bankura: Lubdhak, 1999), Pl87.
14 District Gazetteer, Purulia, West Bengal1985
134
Sansad are 01, 20, 170 and 1925 respectively. There are 18 police
stations, 3 Municipalities, 2,687 villages and 2,452 Mouzas in the district. 15
The climate of the district is characterized by extremely high
temperature in summer and very low temperature in winter. Rainfall is
comparatively low in the district as compared to other districts of West
Bengal. The normal rainfall is 1,363.1 mm. (53.67") of which 1189 mm.
occurs during the moon soon, from June to September. The temperature
ranges from 40.30c (104.50F) to 21.20c (8l.O(JF) during the summer
season, the day time temperatures are sometimes pushed upto about 450
to 460c during the winter season, the minimum temperature to about 70c
to 60c by cold winds. Climate aberration is common in the district. More
than 47 percent of the total area is usually drought prone. 16
Soil Pattern:
The district falls naturally into two sub-tracts, one completely different
from the other in natural characteristics. Laterites soil has been marked in
the eastern part of the Purulia district. Laterites are known to have formed
by the sub-aerial weathering of almost all alternate dry and wet seasons.
The older alluvium of Pleistocene to Sub-Recent age can be marked at the
northern base of the Baghmundi hills near the western boarders of the
district. These are coarse grained generally reddish in color and contain
abundant limonitic and calcareous concretions. The newer Alluvium of
Sub-Recent to Recent age also occurs in patches along the Subamarekha,
the kansai and the Damodar Rivers.
15 Annual Administrative Report 2000, Purulia, West Bengal. Pas, Hari Sadhan, Purulia Darpan (in Bengali) (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book Supply
Agency, 1998), P.IO
135
The district is mostly covered by residual soils formed by
weathering of the bad-rock and have remained in site. Weathering process
is destructive, but soil forming processes are constructive. In Purulia, the
weathering processes are more active and the plains are mostly eroded
with their soil cover. There are also found Gneissic soils in some parts of
the district. These soils are usually sandy loams of low fertility. Most of
the Gneissic soils of Purulia are subject to cauterization. In the other parts
of the district like Manbazar, Barabhum and Jaipur are Gondowana
transition soils which are usually dark in color, fme in texture and more
fertile than the other two groups of residual soils. 17 Though the economy
of the district mainly depends on agriculture, but the overall soil pattern
of the district are not fertile and suitable for agriculture.
Demographic profile of the district:
The total area of the district of Purulia is 6,259 Sq. km. i.e. 6, 25,900
hectares. Total population and the density of population which have been
recorded in 1991 census is 22, 24,577 and 354 respectively. About 90%
of the total population lives in rural areas and remaining 10 % people live
in the urban areas. The geographical area, total population, population
density and decadal change of population of the district from 1961 to
1991, are shown in the table below,
Table: 4.1
Geographical Area, Population, Population Density per Squire Kilometer
and Decadal Change of Population from 1961-2001
17 Das, Hari Sadh&n, Purulia Darpan (in Bengali) (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book Supply Agency, 1998), PP.10-11
136
Year Area Population Population Decadal dens_!!y change
1961 6259 13,60,016 218 +16.33 1971 6259 16,02875 257 + 17.86 1981 6259 18,55429 296 + 15.76 1991 6259 22,24577 354 + 19.61 2001 6259 25,35,233 405 + 13.96
Source: Census Report of India, West Bengal Series-1961, 1981, 1991, 2001
Table No 4.3, shows that from 1961 to 1981, change of population
density was nominal and there was a consistency in the change, but from
1991 to 2001, the density curve was upwards, i.e. 405-354= 51. The
decadal change was highest during the period 1991 (19.61) and lowest
during the period 2001 i.e. 13.96 percent.
The composition of population in the district of Purulia is shown in Table
below.
Table: 4.2
Distribution of Population by Sex, S.C., S.T. and Rural and Urban Basis
(1991, 2001) (Figun!s in the table are in number and percentage within
brackets)
Population Male Female Scheduled Scheduled
(Total) caste (1991) tribe (1991)
Total 25,35,233 12,98,079 12,37,154 43,0,513 42,7,766
(51.20) (48.80) (19.36) (19.22)
Rural 22,79,994 11,65,029 11,14,965 3,85,630 4,23,415
(91.00) (46.50) (44.27) (17.34) (19.22)
Urban 25,5,239 13,30,50 12,21,89 44,883 4,315 (0.20)
(10.00) (04.97) (04.47) (02.02)
Source: Census Report of India, 1991, 2001.
Table: 4.4 shows that male and female population in the district is almost
equal, their difference is about 2.20 %, and the scheduled caste and
137
scheduled tribe population in the district are also almost same. It is seen
in the table 4.4 that more than 91 % people of the district live in rural
areas and only 10 % people live in urban areas. It also reveals that the
scheduled caste and the scheduled tribe people together comprise about
39% (according to 1991 census) of the district's population which is very
significant in understanding the social composition of the district. Not
only that, according to the census report of 1991, percentage of S.C. and
S.T. people in the state of West Bengal was 20.01 % and 05.31 %
respectively. It also indicates that the percentage of S.T. population in the
district of Purulia is much higher ( 19.22%) than the average of West
Bengal while the S.C. population is slightly lower (19.36) than the state
average.
From this account, it would be very interesting to investigate into the
level of governance and the modernization process of the district, like
Purulia where a large portion of the total population belong to tribal
groups (19.2%) having their own language, customs., religion, culture and
superstitions etc.
It would be incomplete, if we do not consider the demographic
patterns of the district of Purulia in terms of different categories of
workers and non-workers. This account may help us in understanding the
level of economic development of the district to some extent. The
distribution of population according to different categories of workers and
non-workers in the district ofPurulia are given below,
Table: 4.3
Distribution of Population According to Different Categories of Workers
and Non-Workers in the District ofPurulia{l991), (Figures are in number
and percentage)
138
Total Main- Cultivators Agricultural Other Marginal Non-
population Workers labourers Workers Workers Workers
22,24,577 7,86,387 3,89,078 2,00,211 1,75,296 1,73,517 12,64,672
(35.35) (17.49) (9.0) (7.88) (7.80) (56.85)
Source: Census Report of India, 1991
Table 4.5 indicates that the main worker is 35.35 % of the total
population, and 17.49 %population is cultivator. Not only that, it also
reveals that both the cultivators and the agricultural labourers together
comprise (17.49% + 9.00 %) = 26.49 %, who are directly engaged in
agriculture and agriculture-allied activities for their livelihood. Though,
agriculture is the main source of income of the people in the district, yet it
provides only 26.49 % people job opportunity in the district. It is
indicative that a large portion (56.85 %) people in the district are non
workers; and they did not produced anything for economic development, ··-
and depend upon others for their livelihood. This large segments of non
working people depend upon the remaining 35.35 %working people for
their livelihood in the district; consequently, the average income of the
people in the district is very low. From this account, it can be said that the
economic development of the district is poor and yet to be developed. In
such a backward socio-economic atmosphere chances are there to be
involved in the unlawful activities like theft, robbery, dacoity, burglary
and so on by the poor people for their livelihood which may hamper the
governance of the district.
Agriculture and Irrigation:
Agriculture is the primary source of income and livelihood of the people
in the Purulia district. Almost 70 percent of the working population is
employed in agriculture either as cultivators or as agricultural labourers.
A major portion of the district's income comes from the agriculture and
139
agricultural sectors. So, the development of agriculture of the district is
important for the growth of economy of the district as a whole. It depends
upon very much on the use of agricultural inputs and improvement of the
irrigation system. To some extent, the governance of the district is related
to the development of agricultural in the district because; the employment
and income of the people are mostly rests on the agriculture. If the
agricultural production of the district falls due to natural causes such as
low rain fall, drought etc., then it will readily affect the public life at the
societal level. In that situation people from their uncertainties and
insecurities may take risk of breaking laws and may be involved in the
illegal activities for their earnings and livelihood.
In the district of Purulia labour participation ratio in the field of
agriculture is significantly high, but the average income of a cultivator or
a labourer is very low. It signifies the poor progress of agricultural
development of the district. According to the census report of 1991, the
total population of the district is 22, 24,577 and out of the total
population, 7, 86,387 are main workers i.e. (35.35%), and 389300 persons
are cultivators i.e. ( 17.49%) and 200211 persons (9 %) are agricultural
labourers. 18
The district is characterized by the presence of a largely waste
land. The general topography of the district being highly undulating, the
lower belt is generally utilized for cultivation and the plots are made by
individuals on the slopes. The top regions are generally less fertile and the
waste land which is known as trand or gora. The main problem which
stands in the way of recovery of these waste land is scarcity of water
18 Das, Hari Sadhan, Purulia Darpan (in Bengali) (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book Supply Agency, 1998), P. 9-11.
140
resources which causes poor irrigation system and the high cost of
reclamation.
Consequently, m the district of Purulia, only 46.79 % (2, 92, 890
hectares) of the total area is used for agriculture purpose. The
geographical area of the district is 6, 25,900 hectares, of which net
cropped area is 2, 80,342 hectares, i.e. (44.79 %). The percentage of
agricultural labourers of the total population of the district is 9 %, and out
of total population the cultivators are 17.68 %. The percentage of
marginal farmers in the total population of the district is 7.39. The gross
irrigated area covered in 1989-90 i& 88,327.62 hectares (14.11 %). The
major crops grown in the district are paddy, wheat, potato, maize, til,
pulses, Sugarcane, mustard etc. It is clear from the conditions of
agriculture of the district that though agriculture is the main source of
income of the people in the district yet, the scenario of the agriculture of ~
the district as a whole is not yet good due to inadequate rainfall, limited
irrigation facilities, and unfertile land structure.19
Minerals and Industry:
Mineral is one of the important component for making industry in the
district. In her mineral wealth, Purulia ranks first amongst the district of
West Bengal. Of her wide range of minerals, the most important are the
china clay, coal, and copper, Felspas, yellow moulding sand, limestone,
road materials and quartz. Other minerals which are found in the district
are asbestos, calcite fire clay, garnet, graphite, mica etc., but they are
inadequate from a commercial point of view. 20
19 Das, Hari Sadhan, Purulia Darpan (in Bengali) (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book Supply Agency, 1998), PP. 22-27. 20 I. Das, 1-lari Sadhan, Purulia Darpan (in Bengali), (Midnapur, West Bengal: New Book Supply Agency, 1998), PP.l2-13,
2. District Gazetteer, Purulia, 1995, (Government of West Bengal), PP. 37-40.
141
In the State of West Bengal there is a Marxist-led Government.
Industrial working class is an important segment of population of the
society for Marxist. Because, according to Marxist theory working class
is the most advanced and politically conscious class in the society. As a
social force, working class can play an important role in organizing trade
union movements of the society. The activities and movements of the
working class under the leadership of the Communist Party influence the
politics tremendously of a particular society. From this point of view, the
growth of industry vis-a-vis industrial labour in the district of Purulia may
be an important factor for understanding the nature of governance. The
district ofPurulia is rich in her mineral-wealth yet, till now, the district is
knoWQ as industrially backward one. Some of the medium size industries
such as, Modhukunda Cement Factory, Santaldih Coal Washing and
Thermal Power Plant have been set up during the period of the Congress
Party rule. Factories form a very small part of the industrial sector. No
more large and medium scale industries are set up in the district
thereafter. The old time industries are lac, tassar weaving, brass and bell
metal utensils, bidi-making and cutlery etc. Apart from the old time
factories some new industries have developed in the district of Purulia
since 1980 onwards during the regime of the Left Front Government.
Among them, food processing, tobacco and tobacco-products, wood and
wood-products, furniture, rubber and plastic products, petroleum and coal
products, chemical and chemical products, non-metallic mineral products,
basic metal and allays industries etc are to be mentioned. The overall
industrial picture of the district has undergone little change during the
past three decades.
142
Table given below will shows the number of Units and Employment in
these Industries during 1981- 89
Table: 4.4 /, "
:Employment in Registered Factories during 1981-98
Year Unit Em_Qloyment 1981 48 4919 1986 48 4793 1987 51 4936 1988 54 5005 1989 53 3534 1991 NA NA 1992 NA NA 1993 NA NA 1994 74 4993 1995 74 4993 1996 64 5207 1998 65 5ll0 2001 68 4937
Source: Chief Inspector ofFactones, Government of West Bengal
From the table 4.1 it is found that there is a slow but steady growth of this
sector has been done during the period 1981-98. But there are ups and
downs~in the increase of units and of employment. It is seen from the
tab~.1 dtat in the year 1981, there were 48 units in the district and the \.=. -~~'
employment of these industries were 4919, but in the year 1989, although
the number of factories increased from 48 in1981 to 53 in1989, yet the
employment has decreased from 4919 in 1981 to 3534 in1989. Again,
during the next few years both, the industrial units and the employment
have increased, but not significantly.
Small and Cottage industries comprises a large part of the overall
industrial activities in the district of Purulia. Among them tanning and
shoe-making, carpentry, pottery, bidi-making, basket-making, musk
making are some of the main industries.
143
Table below will shows the number of units and the employment in the
small and cottage industries during 1981-89
Table: 4.5
Registered Working Small Scale and Cottage-Industries and
Employment (1981-98)
Year Units Em_Qioyment 1981 4831 25611 1986 7724 40623 1987 6475 45270 1988 9323 49734 1989 10180 56031 1991 NA NA 1992 NA NA 1993 NA NA 1994 13177 75,514 1995 13,408 76,496 1996 14,107 81,719 1998 7817 47,602 2001 8360 51,119
Source: Directorate of Small Scale Industries, Govt. of West Bengal.
From the table no 4.2, it is seen that a steady development has done in
small scale and cottage industries during the period 1981-89. Between the
period 1981 and 1989 the number of units has increased from 4831 in
1981 to 10,180 in 1989; the employment has also increased accordingly,
from 25611 in 1981 to 56031 in 1989. This statistics indicates that
potentiality of small and cottage industries are high in this district in
comparison to large and medium size industries. It has been noticed that
the total number of persons engage in all types of industrial activities in
the district ofPurulia is only 2.6 percent of the total population.
The number of industrial workers in the district is significant for
understanding the governance of the district because labour movements,
labour strikes and labour unrest normally originated from the demands for
better ways, bonus and amenities, as also retrenchment of worker and
144
disciplinary action taken against employees. These type of activities
sometimes affects ~e governance factor. From this point of view we can
say, that the labour unrest in the district ofPurulia is limited as the district
is backwarp industrially. It is also indicative that the economy of the
district is basically dependent on agriculture and agriculture allied
activities.
Education:
Education is an important index of development of any society. Education
improves personal endowments, buil(ls capacity level and helps to
overcome the constraints around the individual. Simply it meant the
ability of one's reading and writing. Development of education meant,
"Achievement of full literacy, raising the quality of education at all levels,
upliftment of educational status of socially disadvantaged groups"2'
through formal and informal arrangements of facilities. But, the
achievement of the district in this sector is not yet bright.
W.W Hunter's and H. Copland's observation was that up to 1860-
61, only one government school was at Purulia. Copland's observation
( 1911) was more detailed, he wrote that the total number of primary
schools for boys in the district (Manbhum) was only 676, apart from that
4 Guru training schools were there. Total number of attendance at these
schools were 22,585 consisting of21,435 boys and 1150 girls and the rate
oflit~rary was 4.2 %, male 8%, and female 0.3%.22
For the next fifty years, the primary edueation of the district has been
improved due to various measures undertaken by the government,
21 Chatteljee, Biswajit and Ghosh Dilip Kumar, Towards a District Development Report for t'Jesr Bengal (Kalyani: State Institute ofPanchayats and Rural Development, 2003), P.73. 22 District Gazetteer, Purulia, West Bengal, 1985, Ch. XIV, P.352
145
although, the rate of literacy in the district is yet bellowing in comparison
to the other districts of West Bengal. Educational facilities available in
the district from 1960-61 to 1997-98 are given below
Table: 4.6
Educational Facilities Available in the District ofPurulia during 1960-61
to 2000-2001
Year No. of No. of No.ofH. No. of
Primary Secondary S. Schools College
Schools Schools
1960-61 1393 89 29 02
1970-71 1441 98 32 05
1980-81 2165 108 36 08
1990-91 2914 126 46 11
1997-98 2959 134 55 12
1997-98 2959 134 55 12
2000-01 2973 148 59 19
Source: (1) Directorate of Public Instruction, Govt. of West Bengal. (11) District Inspector of Schools, Purulia, (111) District Primary School Board, Purulia (iv) Census Report 1991, 2001.
Literacy
Rate(%)
17.79
21.50
29.65
35.53
43.29
43.29
56.14
From the above table it is seen that the number of primary school in the
district rose from 1393 in 1960-61 to 2973 in 2000-2001; and the increase
of primary school has been noticed from 1980 onwards. Table 4.6 also
indicates that the rate of literacy has been increased from 17.79 % in
1960-61 to 43.29% in 1997-98 and during the next ten years it has been
increased by 12.86 %. It is seen in the table 4.6 that the growth rate of
higher educational institutions in the district is higher than the primary
education. Till now, facilities of primary education are limited in the
146
district in comparison to the other districts of West Bengal. High illiteracy
is one of the important symptoms of low economic development.
Table: 4.7 Students by Sex in Different Types of Educational Institutions in the
District ofPurulia, (1995-96)
Types of Formal Institutions Male Percentage Female percentage I
Primary Schools 1,56,353 (7.03) 1,04,771 (4.70)
Middle Schools 12,611 (0.57) 7,207 (0.33)
High Schools 71,947 (3.23) 30,533 (1.37)
H. S. Schools 7,496 (0.33) 1,843 (.08)
College 4,400 (0.19) 2,352 (0.10)
Total 2,52,807 (11.36) 1,46,706 (6.59)
Source: District Statistical Hand Book ( 1997 -98)
It is seen in the table 4. 7 that from primary to college education, the
attendance of male candidates is much higher than the female candidates.
The male attendance is 11.36 % while the female attendance is only 6.59
%. In the primary level 7.03 % male and 4. 70 % female candidate
appeared respectively. Female illiteracy is another important sign of low
level development.
Table: 4.8
Literacy by Sex among SC and ST People (Age group 7 years and
above) in the District ofPurulia 1995-96
Total Total Persons Literate Percentage Literate Percentage
(Literate) (Male) (Female)
Scheduled Caste 1,08163 (4.86) 86,041 (3.87) 22,122 (0.99)
Scheduled Tribe 95,407 ( 4.28) 77,597 (3.48) 17,810 (0.80)
Source: Census Report of India West Bengal, 1991
Though the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe people together
consists of 39 % population in the district, yet it is clear from the table no.
147
4.8 that the literacy rate among them is very low. The literacy rate of the
scheduled caste and scheduled tribe people are only 4.86 % and 4.28 %
respectively, including male and female candidates.
From this picture of education in the district of Purulia, it is clear
that the district's performance is poor in the education sector in
comparison to the other districts of West Bengal. From 1990 onwards,
several measures have been undertaken by the Education Department of
the district and the Government of West Bengal to overcome the problem
of illiteracy. To attain the goal several schemes like mass literacy
campaign, introduction of national literacy mission scheme, mid-day meal
scheme, and a number of innovative non-formal education schemes as a
supplementary to the formal system of education has been undertaken and
are being implemented. We will try to evaluate the impact of such
measures in our next chapters.
Medical facilities and Public Health:
Making a healthy society is very much depends upon the medical and
public health facilities available in the society. Productivity of the society
and the ability of the people are interrelated factors which depend upon
the good health and sufficient nutrition system of the society.
Improvement of health and medical facilities contribute to increase the
productivity by reducing worker's illness and lethargy. It also increases
people's energy level and improves their mental process. The success and
failure of these programmes affected directly other development
programmes like growth in agriculture sector, demand and supply of food
and essential commodities, education, and other basic infrastructural
facilities.
148
In the nineteenth century, epidemic diseases prevailing of the
erstwhile Manbhum district, of which the present districtJormed a part,
'Yere cholera, intermittent and remittent fevers, diarrhla and dysentery.
Malaria-fever was started to be decreasing with the continual extension of
cultivation, cholera had a tendency to become epidemic at the beginning
of the hot weather and at the end of rains. There was an epidemic of
small-pox almost every year during the cold weather. According to W.W.
Hunter, there were ''four classes of native medical Practitioners in Purulia
viz. the Baidays, Hakims, Ojhas, and Sakhans".2:; In 1966, there were 13
male medical graduates and 1 female graduate in the public hospitals and
dispensaries in the district. There were 35 medical officers altogether in
such institutions of the district. 24
The birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, doctor population ratio,
bed population ratio are the index for measuring public health of the
district which are show in the table below.
Table: 4.9 ~-
Birth Rate, Death Rate and Infant Mortality Rate in the District of Purulia
(1987-89) (Figure indicate in percentage)
Year 1987 1988 1989
Birth rate 29.80 29.60 28.50
Death rate 10.96 10.80 10.60
Infant Mortality rate 79.00 79.00 71.00
Rate has been calculated per thousand population.
Source: District Annual Plan Book, 1990-91, Purulia District, West Bengal,
P.292.
23 Quoted from, District Gazetteer, Purulia, West Bengal, 1985, P. 382-83
24 District Gazetteer, Purulia, West Bengal, 1985, P. 382-83.
149
From the table 4.9 it is seen that the birth rate and death rate is almost
same and no significant change took place during the period from 1987 to
1989, but the infant mortality rate decreased significantly by (8 %), from,
79.00 % in 1987 to 71.00 % in 1989. It signifies a positive sign of
improvement of health condition in the district.
Table: 4.H)
Doctors-Beds-Nurses as Ratio of Population in the District of Purulia,
(1991)
Category 1986~87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90
Doctor-population ratio 1:14197 1:13480 1:12386 1:12560
Bed-population ratio 1:3144 1:2144 1:1963 1:1990
Nurse-population ratio 1:6782 1:6422 1:6321 1:6139
Source: The Chief Medical Officer of Health, Purulia.
From the table No. 4.10, it is found that the doctor-population
ratio, nurses-population ratio, and beds population ratio have not
improved satisfactorily during the period from 1986-87 to 1989-90. As a
result, the people of the district are forced to go outside the district like
Bankura, Asansol, Burnpur, and Bardhaman or even outside the state for
better treatment. So, in order to establish a healthy society more
improvement in this sector is necessary.
During the periods 1989-90, the Health Department of the district
of Purulia has undertaken some initiative to extend medical facilities in ~
the district. As a result, the number of primary health centre rose to 19
with 440 beds, rural hospital rose to 4 with 150 beds, and the sub centres
(health) functioning are 334. Beside these, there are 1 State General
Hospital having 68 beds and 1 District Hospital with 390 beds in the
Purulia district. Side by side a good number of health centers are running
150
without medical infrastructures in the rural areas, consequently, the rural
people are not getting proper help from those centers.
Co-operation & Banking systems of the district:
Governance of the society very much depends upon the
development of different types of secondary institutions of a society. Co
operation and Banking system of the society are playing important role in
this respect. Co-operation and banking system helps to develop credit
network system of the society by fostering economic development. The
farmers and business man of a society may receive loan frm,n these _....... -~· .......... _
institutions for the development of agriculture and business. The economy
of the district of Purulia is agrarian. More than 90% of the people live in
rural areas. So the economic development in rural areas depends mainly
upon the development of the agriculture. Agriculture needs investment;
the poor farmers require credit during the period of cultivation for
purchasing agricultural inputs, for which they were compelled to borrow
loan from the money lenders at a high rate of interest during the past.
Banking and co-operative societies may play important roles in this
respect by liberating the poor farmers and small business man from the
clutches of the money lenders. Co-operative societies and commercial
banks provide loan to the poor farmers and business man at a reasonable
rate of interest. Co-operation helps to create a broader social context in
which democratic culture of the society may be developed.
In the Purulia district, there are 920 different types of registered
co-operative societies, among them some are agricultural and non
agricultural credit societies and some are non-credit societies.
Table: 4.11
151
Number of Co-operative Societies and Membership during 2000-200 l
Type of Societies No. of No. of % ofthe
Societies Membership total
population
Central Co-operative Bank 01 507 0.5
Agricultural Credit Societies 222 82900 3.72
Non-agricultural credit societies 335 48000 2.15
Non-credit Societies 362 22879 1.02
Total no. of Credit and non-credit 1010 17,0061 6.94
societies
Source: Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Purulia, WB.
It is found from the above table that I 0 I 0 co-operative societies are there
in the district and 17, 0,061 people (6.94%) are associated with these
societies during the period 2000-2001. It indicates that the network of co
operation is not yet good in the district ofPurulia. Only 6.94% people are
associated themselves with the co-operative societies. But the actual fact
is that out of920 societies, a large portion i.e. 387 (42 %) societies are not
functioning for various causes like, lack of experience, lack of capital,
and lack of leadership and so on. So, the members associated with those
non-functioning societies are not getting benefit from the societies. It
signifies that the progress of co-operative movement in the district is not
up to the mark and satisfactory.
In the creation of credit and supply of loan to the poor farmers, the
role of the commercial bank is also important. So, the extension of
banking network can be seen as an effect of economic development.
During the year 1971 to 1972, 14 branches of commercial banks served
the district. In the year 1981-82, total number of banks rose from 14 in
152
1971· 72 to 59 in 1981-82, out of which, 19 served in rural areas and 40 in
urban areas. During the next 15 years total number of banks rose from 59
in 1982 to 118 in 1998. Average population coverage per bank branch
was 15,000 in rural areas and less than 15,000 in urban areas.25
From the above discussion it is clear that the overall economic
condition of the district is not yet good. A large sections of people of the
district in the rural area cannot afford even the minimum requirements of
livelihood. Most of them are schedule c~te and schedule tribe people (39
% ). They are either small and marginal farmers or agricultural labourers.
Agriculture of the district depends upon the weather condition and rain
falling. The average rainfall of the district is very low, water retentive
capacity of the soil is also low, and most of the lands are not fertile.
Moreover, there are no sufficient irrigation arrangements. As a result,
about nine months of the year remains as lean period. During this lean
period poor village people did not have any job and income. They
compelled to migrate to the neighboring district like Bardhaman, Hooghly
and Bankura for searching work as agricultural labourers. Poverty,
Physical weakness, isolation and powerlessn~ss are common to their life.
The objective of the rural governance of the Purulia district is necessarily
accompanied by the upliftment of these backward sections of the society
through democratically elected panchayat system.
In West Bengal, panchayat institutions are working as an important
instrument of socio-economic development. The success of the panchayat
institutions can be seen as performance of the institutions in delivering
goods and services to the common people. Before 1977, the panchayat
institutions in the district had been failed to achieve trust of the ordinary
25 Statistical Hand Book, Purulia District, Government of West Bengal, Series 1971, 1981,98.
153
people because they failed to deliver goods and services to the people.
The elections of the institutions were not held years after years. But, in ~~--
the post 1977 periods, the panchayats have be_~n succeeded to establish its .-
own identity by delivering goods and services to the common people and
raising their hopes and aspirations to a considerable extent. It is the policy
and strategy of the Left Front Government, more particularly the CPI-M,
which have made the panchayat institutions viable, active and people
centric to a great extent.
Different policies of the L.F .Government such as land reforms
programme, literacy programme, health care programme, programmes of
social re-construction and employment generation schemes for the
backward people in the rural areas are being implemented through the
panchayat institutions.
Village people show their interest greater, especially; in the
election of the panchayats rather than the National and State level
j;!lections because; ~eir immediate local interests are being served through
these institutions/
Table: 4.12
Number and Seats of the Panchayat Institutions in the District of Purulia
Number of Gram Panchayat 170 2140
No. ofPanchayat Samiti 20 391
No. of Zilla Parishod 01 34
No. of Gram Sansad 1925 -Source: District Panchayat Office, Purulia.
It is found from the table 4.12 that there are 170 Gram Panchayats,
20 Panchayat Samities, and 1 Zilla Parishad in the district and the number
of seats of the bodies are 2140, 391 and 34 respectively. Beside these,
there are 1925 forums, called Gram Sansads, for public meetings in the
i
1S4
district of Purulia. These Gram Sansads consist of every constituency of
the Gram Panchayats. Governance in the district of Purulia can be
understood with the performance of these rural institutions on the basis of
their responsiveness, effectiveness and accountability to the common
people. The efficacy of these institutions further depends upon the
capabilities of the representatives of these institutions. Strong leadership
of the representatives of the institutions can ensure the responsiveness and
accountability of the institutions in delivering goods and services to the
common people. The democratic governance of the district, as a whole,
depends upon the democratic functioning of these formal rural
institutions. In our studies we shall examine the functional procedure,
leadership pattern and the performance of these formal institutions with
the help of different variables such as institutions, participation,
development and law and order.
Apart from these formal political institutions there are many
informal community based organizations, non-governmental
organizations, trade unions and various para-political organizations in the
district of Purulia. Although, the density of these civil societal
organizations is not yet rich, yet slowly, people of the district are
organizing themselves under these associations and are involving
gradually in the associational activities. The Peasant organizations
(Krishak Sabha), Youth organizations (D.Y.F.I), Women's association
(Mahila Samiti), Primary teach associations; Tantubai Samiti (Weaver's
association), Matsyajibi Samiti (Fishefii\an's association), Porter's
organizations, Musk-making organizations and many others are
organizing the rural people through political and org~ization~l activities.
These informal institutions play vital roles in articulating the interests of
155
the rural people by influencing the decision-making process of the local
self-governments to a large extent. Not only articulate the demands of the
people but also promotes the sense of democratic values in the minds of
the members of the organizations. In the activation of rural politics, the
roles of these organizations are crucial. The local leaders (elites) of the
organizations also play important roles in making the. rural people aware
and conscious about their rights and duties regarding panchayat
institutions. Thus, informal institutions and the local elites together with
their effort are trying to make the Purulia district governable. So, the
democratic functioning of the panchayat institutions depends upon the
emergence and movements of these social organizations to some extent.
Profiles of the Non-Governmental Organizations in the District of
Purulia are given below
Table: 4.13
N.G.Os in the District ofPurulia (2000)
Block NameofNGO Operational Nature of Activities Areas
Santuri All Backward classes Santuri Primary education Relief & Development Mission
Jhalda-11 Bamnia Bengal Tiger Club Jhalda-11 Vocational & skill development training in agriculture
Naturia Bhamuria soci~l welfare Naturia Block 1. Eye-camp 2. Blood Society donation 3 .Awareness
generation programme m health (AIDS, Malaria etc.)
Bundwan Bundwan Yuba Bharati Bundwan 1. Literacy 2. Health club programme.
Purulia-1 Centre for Environmental Purulia district Democratic Survey, and Socio-economic Re- participatory appraisal, generation pre-primary education,
training programme, small savings, pulse polio etc.
156
Kashipur Co-ordination, Liya Kashipur Block Sanitation & bio-technology, watershed.
Manbazar-1 Gopalnagar Subhayan Manbazar-1 Child education. Block
Source: Profile of NGO 's in Purulia District, Office of the Distnct Magtstrate
Purulia.
These organizations also help to develop interpersonal
communications of ideas from the party activists, neighbors, and rural
elites, and play an important role in increasing of knowledge, skill, rights,
and faith of the village people by making them rule-bound to some extent.
The development of NGOs in the district of Purulia is recent and these
NGOs are trying to develop socio-economic condition of the people in the
district.
According to Almond and Verba, "these voluntary associations are
helpful for avoiding parochial attitudes of the people and unwanted
political influences and with the help of these they are rather mobilized
and are made politically informed. Thus, these organizations help the
people to build up a rich set of political resources which grow out
according to their varied interests."26
If a society is enriched by different types of social and political
organizations, the level of political and economic development of that
society will also be high. In fact, the success of local self-government
depends upon the strong networks of organizational and associationallife
of the people because, associational life of the people helps to produce
efficient leadership and the atmosphere of co-operation for development.
In this way, the informal institutions and organizations like
professional bodies, trade unions, sports and cultural organizations,
26 Almond and Verba: The Civic Culture (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1963), P.243.
157
community based associations, women's associations, non-governmental
organizations and many others have slowly but steadily grown up during
the post 1977 period in the district of Puruiia. As a result, alongside the
traditional way of living, the pattern of social life of the people are also
changing and coordinating under the banner of different socio-political
organizations of the district. In this way, a favourable social atmosphere
of rural governance is generating slowly in the district ofPurulia.
In every society there are more or less governance disturbance
/forceses. In order to control those forces and to maintain peace and order
of the society appropriate legal machinery is required. Maintenance of
law and order is an important task: of making governance. In the Purulia
district there are 20 Police Statio9:,Strengt.\l of police force is given in the I
table below.
Table: 4.14
Strength of Police force by category in the district of Purulia (1997-
1999) (Figures are in Number)
Category of Police force 1996 1997 1998 1999
1. Superintendent 01 01 01 01
2. Addl. Superintendent 01 01 01 01
3. Dy. Superintendent 04 04 04 04
4. S.D.P.O 01 01 01 01
5. Inspector 14 14 11 14
6. Sub· Inspector 97 97 87 96
7. Asst. Sub- Inspector 119 119 116 118
8. Head Constable 57 57 47 47
9. Constable 1019 1019 941 957
Total 1313 1313 1209 1239
158
Source: District Statistical Hand Book, Puru1ia, 2001, (Bureau of
Applied Economics and Statistics, Government of West Bengal), P.144.
From the table 4.14 it is found that in 1996-98, the strength of police
force of the district did not increased, rather it is decreased to some
extent. In the year 1996, total strength of Police force was 1333 in the
district. But it is reduced from 1313 in 1996 to 1239 in 1999. If we
consider the strength of police force in respect of the total population of
the district and the poor socio-economic condition of the district, it will
be found that the existing strength of police is not yet sufficient to tackle
the law and order problem of the district.
We have discussed a brief profile of the district of Purulia as a
background of the study of governance of the district. This profile will
help us in uQ.derstan/ing the historical, political and socio-economic
nature and the balc problems of governance of the district of Purulia.
From this profi!f we come to know that the district lags behind in almost
all aspects with regard to governance. Agriculture and industry are the
basics of development of a district. Purulia is backward from both side.
Even, the service sectors i.e. health, education, co-operation, banking and
credit etc. of the district are also poor and yet to be good. The
composition of population of the district indicates that the non-workers or
dependent people of the district are very high. The emergence of
secondary social institutions, like co-operatives, self-help groups, and
community based organizations, non-governmental organizations are not
up to the mark.
All these are to be considered as more or less negative aspects for
making governance. Secure, peaceful life requires sound socio-economic
environment with different types of institutional arrangements for
159
delivering goods and services to the people. Governance factors are to
some extent related to the issues of human development like health,
education, safe drinking water, food, shelter, standard of living etc. But
the human development aspects of the district of Purulia are not yet good.
Throughout the discussion of this chapter, we have found that the social
contexts of the district in terms of demography, geography, socio
economic structures and the problems related to governance are not yet
ideal. It also appeared from our discussion that the causes which may
hamper or disturb governance of the district, such as poverty, illiteracy
etc. is more or less active in the district of Purulia. But interestingly, the
district of Purulia, in West Bengal, is more o less peaceful, politically
speaking.
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