Simlapal (community development block)

{{Main|History of Bankura district}}

From around the 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.{{cite web| url = http://bankura.gov.in/gezetter.htm |title = Bengal District Gazetteers: Bankura |last = O’Malley |first= L.S.S. | publisher= Bankura District Authorities | access-date = 29 August 2016}}

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 Simlapal being transferred from Manbhum, and the thanas of Sonamukhi, Kotulpur and Indas being retransferred from Burdwan. However, it was known for some time as West Burdwan and in 1881 came to be known as Bankura district.

106 districts spanning 10 states across India, described as being part of the Left wing extremism activities, constitutes the Red corridor. In West Bengal, the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and Birbhum are part of the Red corridor. However, as of July 2016, there had been no reported incidents of Maoist related activities from these districts for the previous 4 years.{{cite web| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/red-corridor-to-be-redrawn/article8894304.ece |title = Red Corridor to be redrawn |last = Singh|first= Vijayita | publisher= The Hindu, 25 July 2016 | access-date = 29 August 2016}}

The CPI (Maoist) extremism which started in the district in the mid-nineties was mainly concentrated in five police station areas of Khatra subdivision – Sarenga, Barikul, Ranibandh, Raipur and Simlapal. They also functioned across the adjoining areas of Paschim Medinipur and Purulia districts.{{cite web| url = https://bankurapolice.org/about-us/ |title = Bankura District Police | publisher= Bankura Police District Authorities | access-date = 29 August 2016}} The Lalgarh movement, which started attracting attention after the failed assassination attempt on Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, then chief minister of West Bengal, in the Salboni area of Paschim Medinipur district, on 2 November 2008 and the police action that followed, had also spread over to these areas.{{Cite news| url = http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl2614/stories/20090717261412900.htm | title = Lalgarh Battle |magazine = Frontline|date= 17 July 2009 |access-date = 23 July 2016}} The movement was not just a political struggle but an armed struggle that concurrently took the look of a social struggle. A large number of CPI (M) activists were killed. Although the epi-center of the movement was Lalgarh, it was spread across 19 police stations in three adjoining districts – Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, and Purulia, all thickly forested and near the border with Jharkhand. The deployment of CRPF and other forces started on 11 June 2009. The movement came to an end after the 2011 state assembly elections and change of government in West Bengal. The death of Kishenji, the Maoist commander, on 24 November 2011 was the last major landmark.{{Cite news| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kishenjis-death-a-serious-blow-to-maoist-movement/article2657105.ece| title = Kishenji's death a serious blow to Maoist movement |newspaper = The Hindu|date= 25 November 2011|access-date = 23 July 2016}}

File:Bakura District.svg

Simlapal is located at {{coord|22.9227|N|87.0734 |E|format=dms|}}.

Simlapal CD block is located in the south-eastern part of the district and belongs to the hard rock area.{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1913_PART_A_DCHB_BANKURA.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Bankura |work = pages 13-17 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal | access-date = 8 December 2016}}

Simlapal CD block is bounded by Taldangra CD block on the north, Garhbeta II CD block, in Paschim Medinipur district, on the east, Sarenga CD block on the south and Khatra CD block on the west.

Simlapal CD block has an area of 310.15 km². It has 1 panchayat samity, 7 gram panchayats, 105 gram sansads (village councils), 203 mouzas, 191 inhabited villages and 1 census town. Simlapal police station serves this block.{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura | work = Tables 2.1, 2.2 | publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 15 May 2020}} Headquarters of this CD block is at Simlapal.{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1913_PART_A_DCHB_BANKURA.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Bankura | work= Map of Bankura with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page) |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 20 November 2016 }}

Gram panchayats of Simlapal block/ panchayat samiti are: Bikrampur, Dubrajpur, Laxmisagar, Machatora, Mandalgram, Parsola and Simlapal.{{cite web| url = http://wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PANCHAYATS.aspx |title = Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal |work = Bankura - Revised in March 2008 | publisher= Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 27 August 2016}}

According to the 2011 Census of India Simlapal CD block had a total population of 143,038, of which 135,832 were rural and 7,206 were urban. There were 73,008 (51%) males and 70,030 (49%) females. Population in the age range of 0 to 6 years was 17,125. Scheduled Castes numbered 37,738 (26.38%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 21,277 (14.88%).{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/cdb_pca_census/Houselisting-housing-WB.html |title = C.D. block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA) | work= 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD blocks|publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 29 August 2016}}

According to the 2001 census, Simlapal block had a total population of 127,429, out of which 65,328 were males and 62,101 were females. Simlapal block registered a population growth of 14.48 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the district was 13.79 per cent.{{cite web | url =http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_13.htm | title = Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Bankura District | access-date = 18 August 2016 | work = Census of India 2001 | publisher = Census Commission of India|url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110928204920/http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_13.htm |archive-date= 28 September 2011}} Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.{{cite web|url=http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_1.htm |title=Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4 |access-date= 17 July 2016 |work=Census of India 2001 |publisher=Census Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927041813/http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_1.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}

Census Towns in Simlapal CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Simlapal (7,200).

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Simlapal CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Lakshmisagar (5,304).

Other villages in Simlapal CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Dubrajpur (3,162), Machatora (667), Bikrampur (1,709) and Parsala (2,689).

According to the 2011 census, the total number of literates in Simlapal CD block was 86,172 (68.44% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 50,372 (78.36% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 35,800 (58.09%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 20.28%.

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

{{Literacy in CD Blocks of Bankura district|collapsible=y}}

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Simlapal CD block (2011)

|titlebar=#FCD116

|left1=

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|77.26}}

{{bar percent|Other (tribal religion)|maroon|14.77}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|7.74}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.23}}

}}

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 110,512 and formed 77.26% of the population in Simlapal CD block. Muslims numbered 11,064 and formed 7.74% of the population. Others numbered 21,462 and formed 15.00% of the population.{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11396/download/14509/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}} Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14A.html |title = ST-14 A Details Of Religions Shown Under 'Other Religions And Persuasions' In Main Table | work= West Bengal |publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 28 August 2016}} and other religious communities. In 2001, Hindus were 78.25%, Muslims 6.66% and tribal religions 14.95% of the population respectively.{{cite web| url = https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/21481/download/24613/PC01_C01_19.xls|title = Table C01 Population by Religious Community: West Bengal |publisher = Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |date=2001}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Simlapal CD block (2011)

|label1 = Bengali |value1 = 82.95 |color1 = orchid

|label2 = Santali |value2 = 12.71 |color2 = darkturquoise

|label3 = Kurmali |value3 = 4.29 |color3 = pink

|label4 = Others |value4 = 0.05 |color4 = grey

}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 82.95% of the population spoke Bengali, 12.71% Santali and 4.29% Kurmali as their first language.{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10226/download/13338/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

In Simlapal CD block 46.53% families were living below poverty line in 2007.{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/Human%20Development%20Bankura.pdf | title = District Human Development Report: Bankura | work = April 2007. Page 27, Pages 237-244 | publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 8 December 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170207213021/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/Human%20Development%20Bankura.pdf | archive-date = 7 February 2017 | url-status = dead }} According to the Rural Household Survey in 2005, 28.87% of the total number of families were BPL families in the Bankura district.{{cite web | url = http://220.225.90.38/Summary/WestBengal.htm| title =West Bengal Summary | work= Rural Household Survey 2005| publisher = Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 10 April 2020}}

{{Pie chart

|caption= Livelihood
in Simlapal CD block

|value1 = 20.82

|label1 = Cultivators

|value2 = 53.10

|label2 = Agricultural labourers

|value3 = 4.70

|label3 = Household industries

|value4 = 21.38

|label4 = Other Workers}}

In the Simlapal CD block in 2011, among the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 12,062 and formed 20.82%, agricultural labourers numbered 30,773 and formed 53.10%, household industry workers numbered 2,726 and formed 4.70% and other workers numbered 12,387 and formed 21.38%.{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1913_PART_A_DCHB_BANKURA.pdf|title = District Census Handbook Bankura, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Table 33: Distribution of Workers by Sex in Four Categories of Economic Activity in Sub-district 2011 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 8 April 2020}} Total workers numbered 57,948 and formed 40.51% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 85,090 and formed 59.49% of the population.{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1913_PART_A_DCHB_BANKURA.pdf|title = District Census Handbook Bankura, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Table 30: Number and percentage of Main workers, Marginal workers and Non workers by Sex, in Sub-districts, 2011 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 8 April 2020}}

Note: In the census records a person is considered a cultivator, if the person is engaged in cultivation/ supervision of land owned by self/government/institution. When a person who works on another person's land for wages in cash or kind or share, is regarded as an agricultural labourer. Household industry is defined as an industry conducted by one or more members of the family within the household or village, and one that does not qualify for registration as a factory under the Factories Act. Other workers are persons engaged in some economic activity other than cultivators, agricultural labourers and household workers. It includes factory, mining, plantation, transport and office workers, those engaged in business and commerce, teachers, entertainment artistes and so on.{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1913_PART_A_DCHB_BANKURA.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Bankura, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Census Concepts and Definitions, Page 27 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 8 April 2020}}

There are 191 inhabited villages in the Simlapal CD block, as per the District Census Handbook, Bankura, 2011. 100% villages have power supply. 189 villages (98.95%) have drinking water supply. 22 villages (11.52%) have post offices. 164 villages (85.86%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 62 villages (32.46%) have pucca (paved) approach roads and 65 villages (34.03%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 10 villages (5.24%) have agricultural credit societies and 6 villages (3.14%) have banks.{{cite web | url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1913_PART_A_DCHB_BANKURA.pdf| title = District Census Handbook, Bankura, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work = Page 83, Table 36: Distribution of villages according to availability of different amenities, 2011 | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. | access-date = 10 April 2020}}

There were 59 fertiliser depots, 18 seed stores and 48 fair price shops in the CD block.{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura | work = Tables 8.2, 17.2, 18.2, 18.1, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.3 – arranged as per use | publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 15 May 2020 }}

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Simlapal CD block could be classified as follows: bargadars 5.62%, patta (document) holders 17.78%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 5.85%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 18.27% and agricultural labourers 52.48%.

In 2003-04 net area sown Simlapal CD block was 11,282 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 10,075 hectares.{{cite web| url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/Human%20Development%20Bankura.pdf |title = District Human Development Report: Bankura|work = April 2007. Page: 58 | publisher= Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 23 August 2016}}

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Simlapal CD block was 19,144 hectares, out of which 11,853 hectares was by canal water, 1,790 hectares by tank water, 1,120 hectares by river lift irrigation, 116 hectares by deep tubewell, 2,400 hectares by shallow tubewell, 45 hectares by open dug wells and 1,820 hectares by other methods.

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD block produced 99,087 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 34,047 hectares, 181 tonnes of Aus paddy from 65 hectares, 3,290 tonnes of Boro paddy from 1,239 hectares, 237 tonnes of wheat from 105 hectares and 40,671,000 tonnes of potatoes from 2,214 hectares. It also produced maize, pulses and mustard.

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 Simlapal CD, block had 507 looms in operation.{{cite web| url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/Human%20Development%20Bankura.pdf |title = District Human Development Report: Bankura|work = April 2007. Page: 85 | publisher= Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 23 August 2016}}

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, terracotta and other decorative items and roofing tiles and other heavy pottery items. Around 3,200 families were involved in pottery making in the district in 2002. 20 families were involved in Simlipal CD block.{{cite web| url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/Human%20Development%20Bankura.pdf |title = District Human Development Report: Bankura|work = April 2007. Pages: 83-84 | publisher= Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 23 August 2016}}

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 4 gramin banks.

The Bankura district is listed as a backward region and receives financial support from the Backward Regions Grant Fund. The fund, created by the Government of India, is designed to redress regional imbalances in development. As of 2012, 272 districts across the country were listed under this scheme. The list includes 11 districts of West Bengal.{{cite web | url = http://www.panchayat.gov.in/documents/10198/0/BRGFFINALGUIDELINES.pdf | title = Backward Regions Grant Funds: Programme Guidelines | publisher = Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India | access-date = 10 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171030225317/http://www.panchayat.gov.in/documents/10198/0/BRGFFINALGUIDELINES.pdf | archive-date = 30 October 2017 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web| url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=84879 | title= Backward Regions Grant Fund| work= Press Release, 14 June 2012 |publisher= Press Information Bureau, Government of India | access-date = 10 April 2020}}

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD block had 10 originating/ terminating bus routes. The nearest railway station is 42 km from the CD block headquarters.

State Highway 2 running from Bankura to Malancha (in North 24 Parganas district) and State Highway 9 running from Durgapur (in Paschim Bardhaman district) to Nayagram (in Jhargram district) pass through this CD block.{{cite web| url = http://www.wbtrafficpolice.com/state-highways.php |title = List of State Highways in West Bengal | publisher= West Bengal Traffic Police | access-date = 23 August 2016}}

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD block had 173 primary schools with 11,160 students, 20 middle schools with 3,645 students, 7 high schools with 2,353 students and 14 higher secondary schools with 15,575 students. Simlapal CD block had 236 institutions for special and non-formal education with 7,839 students.{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura | work = Tables 4.4 | publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 15 May 2020}}

See also – Education in India

According to the 2011 census, in the Simlapal CD block, among the 191 inhabited villages, 42 villages did not have a school, 33 villages had two or more primary schools, 34 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 18 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.{{cite web | url =http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1913_PART_A_DCHB_BANKURA.pdf| title = District Census Handbook, Bankura, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work = Page 1293, Appendix I A: Villages by number of Primary Schools and Appendix I B: Villages by Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. | access-date = 10 April 2020}}

In 2014, Simlapal CD block had 1 rural hospital and 3 primary health centres with total 50 beds and 8 doctors. It had 21 family welfare sub centres and 1 family welfare centre. 7,419 patients were treated indoor and 153,615 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD block.{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura | work = Tables 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 | publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 15 May 2020}}

Simlapal Rural Hospital, with 30 beds at Simlapal, is the major government medical facility in the Simlapal CD block. There are primary health centres at Hatibari (Bon Dubrajpur) (with 4 beds), Lakshmisagar (Rasikpur) (with 10 beds), Arrah (with 6 beds).{{cite web | url =https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/RH.pdf | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work= Health Statistics – Rural Hospitals | publisher = Government of West Bengal|access-date = 10 April 2020}}{{cite web | url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/PHC.pdf | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work= Health Statistics – Primary Health Centres | publisher = Government of West Bengal |access-date = 10 April 2020}}

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{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}

{{Bankura topics}}

Category:Community development blocks in Bankura district