Santuri is a community development block (CD block) that forms an administrative division in the Raghunathpur subdivision of the Purulia district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

History

Background

The Jaina Bhagavati-Sutra of the 5th century AD mentions that Purulia was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas and was a part of the kingdom known as Vajra-bhumi in ancient times. In 1833, the Manbhum district was carved out of the Jungle Mahals district, with headquarters at Manbazar. In 1838, the headquarters was transferred to Purulia. After independence, when Manbhum district was a part of Bihar, efforts were made to impose Hindi on the Bengali-speaking majority of the district and it led to the Bengali Language Movement (Manbhum). In 1956, the Manbhum district was partitioned between Bihar and West Bengal under the States Reorganization Act and the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act 1956.

Geography

CD blocks in Purulia district

Santuri is located at 23°31′44″N 86°51′50″E/23.529°N 86.864°E/ 23.529; 86.864.

The Santuri CD block is located in the north-eastern part of the district. The Damodar marks the northern boundary of the CD block. The Damodar Dwaraka upland is an extension of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The area is undulating with hillocks of hard rocks.

The Santuri CD block is bounded by the Asansol Municipal Corporation, in the Paschim Bardhaman district, across the Damodar River on the north, the Saltora CD block, in the Bankura district, on the east, the Kashipur CD block on the south and the Raghunathpur I and Neturia CD blocks on the west.

Santuri CD block has an area of 179.69 km2. It has 1 panchayat samity, 6 gram panchayats, 57 gram sansads (village councils), 104 mouzas, 92 inhabited villages and 1 census town. Santuri police station serves this block. Headquarters of this CD block was at Muraddi. which had now been shifted to Talberia in a newly set up establishment since 14-02-2006.

Gram panchayats in the Santuri CD block/panchayat samiti are: Balitora, Gariska, Muraddi, Ramchandrapur-Kotaldih, Santuri and Tarbari.

Demographics

Population

According to the 2011 Census of India, Santuri CD block had a total population of 78,515, of which 72,586 were rural and 5,929 were urban. There were 40,085 (51%) males and 38,430 (49%) females. There were 10,584 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The Scheduled Castes numbered 20,091 (25.59%) and the Scheduled Tribes numbered 25,083 (31.95%).

According to the 2001 census, the Santuri CD block had a total population of 69,546, out of which 35,839 were males and 33,707 were females. The Santuri CD block registered a population growth of 9.36 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the Purulia district was 13.96 per cent. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.

Census towns in the Santuri CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Murulia (5,929).

Villages in the Santuri CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Santuri (2,700), Muraddi (2,321), Gorsika (1,741), Tarabari (1,772), Ramchandrapur (2,648), Kotaldih (1,663) and Balora (3,206).

Literacy

According to the 2011 census the total number of literate persons in the Santuri CD block was 43,604 (64.15% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 26,495 (76.32% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 17,109 (51.45%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 24.87%.

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

Literacy in CD blocks of Purulia district
Purulia Sadar subdivision
Arsha – 57.48%
Balarampur – 60.40%
Hura – 68.79%
Purulia I – 78.37%
Purulia II – 63.39%
Manbazar subdivision
Barabazar – 63.27
Bandwan – 61.38%
Manbazar I – 63.78%
Manbazar II – 60.27%
Puncha – 68.14%
Jhalda subdivision
Baghmundi – 57.17%
Jhalda I – 66.18%
Jhalda II – 54.76%
Joypur – 57.94%
Raghunathpur subdivision
Para – 65.62%
Raghunathpur I – 67.36%
Raghunathpur II – 67.29%
Neturia – 65.14%
Santuri – 64.15%
Kashipur – 71.06%
Source: 2011 Census: CD Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data

Language and religion

Religion in Santuri CD block (2011)
Hinduism70.71%
Other (tribal religion)20.51%
Islam8.00%
Other or not stated0.42%

In the 2011 census, Hindus numbered 55,510 and formed 70.71% of the population in the Santuri CD block. Muslims numbered 6,282 and formed 8.00% of the population. Others numbered 16,723 and formed 21.30% of the population. Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria, and other religious communities. In 2001, Hindus were 66.88%, Muslims 7.34% and tribal religions 25.33% of the population respectively.

  1. Bengali (66.3%)
  2. Santali (30.4%)
  3. Urdu (2.65%)
  4. Others (0.66%)

At the time of the 2011 census, 66.32% of the population spoke Bengali, 30.37% Santali and 2.65% Urdu as their first language.

Rural Poverty

According to the Rural Household Survey in 2005, 32.85% of total number of families were BPL families in Purulia district. According to a World Bank report, as of 2012, 31-38% of the population in Purulia, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur districts were below poverty level, the highest among the districts of West Bengal, which had an average 20% of the population below poverty line.

Economy

Livelihood

  1. Cultivators (21.3%)
  2. Agricultural labourers (30.3%)
  3. Household industries (3.37%)
  4. Other Workers (45.0%)

In the Santuri CD block in 2011, among the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 6,274 and formed 21.28%, agricultural labourers numbered 9,837 and formed 33.36%, household industry workers numbered 994 and formed 3.37% and other workers numbered 12,378 and formed 41.98%. Total workers numbered 29,483 and formed 37.55% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 49,032 and formed 62.45% of the population.

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.

Infrastructure

There are 92 inhabited villages in the Santuri CD block, as per the District Census Handbook, Puruliya, 2011, 100% villages have power supply. 100% villages have drinking water supply. 19 villages (20.65%) have post offices. 83 villages (90.22%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 36 villages (39.13%) have pucca (paved) approach roads and 44 villages (47.83%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 2 villages (2.17%) have agricultural credit societies and 8 villages (8.70%) have banks.

Industry

There is a cement plant, Damodhar Cement Works, owned by ACC Ltd. at Madhukunda.

Other industries in Santuri CD block are: Mark Steel Private Ltd. in Jagannathdihi, Vision Sponge Iron at Madhukunda.

Agriculture

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in the Santuri CD block could be classified as follows: bargadars 3.73%, patta (document) holders 20.87%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 2.77%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 30.70% and agricultural labourers 41.93%.

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in the Santuri CD block was 12,154.1 hectares, out of which 4,117.16 hectares by canal water, 6,747.47 hectares by tank water, 20.59 hectares by river lift irrigation, 147.80 hectares by open dug wells and 1,121.10 hectares by other means.

In 2013-14, the Santuri CD block produced 3,001 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 1,542 hectares. It also produced wheat, mustard and potatoes.

Banking

In 2013-14, the Santuri CD block had offices of 3 commercial banks and 2 gramin banks.

Backward Regions Grant Fund

The Purulia 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.

Transport

vteAdra–Asansol line
km Bardhaman–Asansol section 0 Asansol 5 Burnpur Burnpur Airport to Barachak IISCO Burnpur sidings Kalipahari freight bypass 9 Damodar Radhanagar colliery siding to Sitarampur(planned) IISCO Damodar yard Damodar River ACC cement factory siding 14 Madhukunda 21 Muradi Parbelia colliery siding Chaurashi Goods siding 26 Ramkanali 31 Bero RTPP sidings 37 Joychandi Pahar Adra–Gomoh line Asansol–Tatanagar line 41 Adra Adra–Kharagpur line km Source: Indian Railway Time Table
km
Bardhaman–Asansol section
Bardhaman–Asansol section
0Asansol
5Burnpur Burnpur Airport
to Barachak
IISCO Burnpur sidings
Kalipahari freight bypass
9Damodar
Radhanagar colliery siding
to Sitarampur(planned)
to Sitarampur
(planned)
IISCO Damodar yard
Damodar River
ACC cement factory siding
14Madhukunda
21Muradi
Parbelia colliery siding
Chaurashi Goods siding
26Ramkanali
31Bero
RTPP sidings
37Joychandi Pahar
Adra–Gomoh line
Asansol–Tatanagar line
41Adra
Adra–Kharagpur line
km
Source: Indian Railway Time Table
vteAsansol–Tatanagar–Kharagpur line incl. Adra–Bokaro Steel City, Purulia–Kotshila & Tatanagar–Badampahar branch lines
km km to Hatia Bokaro Airport Bokaro Steel City 78 Steel Authority of IndiaBokaro Steel Plant to Gomoh Ispat Nagar 62 Bardhaman–Asansol section Chas 54 0 Asansol Junction Bandidih 49 to Asansol–Patna section/Asansol–Gaya section toChandrapuratoGomoh 5 Burnpur Burnpur Airport Mahuda Junction 53 IISCO Burnpur sidings to Sudamdih Adra–Asansol line Damodar River to Kalipahari (freight line) 9 Damodar Talgaria 42 IISCO Damodar Steel yard &Radhanagar Colliery sidings Shewbabudih 36 Damodar River to Mahuda ACC Cement factory Siding Sudamdih 32 14 Madhukunda Damodar River 21 Muradi Bhojudih 30 Parbeliya Colliery Sidings JharkhandWest Bengal border overDamodar Chaurashi Goods Siding Bhojudih Coal Washery 26 Ramkanali 31 Bero STPS Siding Santaldih 23 RTPP sidings Damodar River Rukni 15 37 Joychandi Pahar Sanka 7 Gardhrubeswar 48 0│41 Adra Junction to Muri Kharagpur–Bankura–Adra line Kotshila Junction 36 to Gomoh 55 Anara Barbenda 32 61 Bagalia Garh Jaipur 29 69 Kustaur Chas Road 22 73 Charrah Charra Airfield Gourinathdham 15 to Chhatna(planned) 0│81 Purulia Kangsabati River 88 Tamna 96 Kantadih 104 Urma 112 Barabhum 117 Biramdih West BengalJharkhand border 126 Nimdih Barkakana–Muri–Chandilline 135 Chandil 141 Manikui Bihar Sponge Iron Sidings Subarnarekha River 146 Kunki to Namkom(planned) Amalgam Power& Steel Sidings 149 Kandra Tatanagar–Bilaspursection Birbans 170 154 Birrajpur Tata Sponge Iron Siding 160 Gamharia Junction 166 Adityapur Kharkai River Sonari Airport Tatanagar Junction 0│171 TISCO Steel Plant Haludpukur 22 Sidhirsai 34 3 Salgajhari JharkhandOdisha border Jojobera Power Plant Bahalda Road 42 7 Govindpur Aonlajori Junction 55 14 Asanboni Gorumahisani 64 19 Rakha Mines Rairangpur 65 Subarnarekha River Kuldiha 73 26 Galudih Chhanua 80 36 Ghatsila Badampahar 89 42 Chirugoda 48 Dalbhumgarh 57 Kokpara 66 Chakulia Chakulia Airport Chakulia-Buramara newline (planned) Purnapani 72 Kanimahuli Borol JharkhandWest Bengal border Baharagora 80 Gidhni JharkhandOdisha border 88 Khatkura Subarnarekha river 95 Jhargram Jamsola to Bhadutala(planned) Jharpokaria 104 Banstala Rupsa–Bangriposi line 111 Sardiha Buramara 119 Khemasuli 125 Kalaikunda Kalaikunda Air Force Station Rupsa–Bangriposi line Kharagpur–Bankura–Adra line Nimpura 127 Nimpura Through Yard Nimpura Goods Yard 131 Girimaidan Hijli 133 Kharagpur–Puri line 134 Kharagpur Junction Howrah–Kharagpur line
kmkm
to Hatia
Bokaro Airport Bokaro Steel City78
Steel Authority of IndiaBokaro Steel Plant
Steel Authority of India
Bokaro Steel Plant
to Gomoh
Ispat Nagar62Bardhaman–Asansol section
Chas540Asansol Junction
Bandidih49to Asansol–Patna section/Asansol–Gaya section
to Asansol–Patna section/
Asansol–Gaya section
toChandrapuratoGomoh5Burnpur Burnpur Airport
to
Chandrapura
to
Gomoh
Mahuda Junction53IISCO Burnpur sidings
to SudamdihAdra–Asansol line
Damodar Riverto Kalipahari (freight line)
9Damodar
Talgaria42IISCO Damodar Steel yard &Radhanagar Colliery sidings
IISCO Damodar Steel yard &
Radhanagar Colliery sidings
Shewbabudih36Damodar River
to MahudaACC Cement factory Siding
Sudamdih3214Madhukunda
Damodar River21Muradi
Bhojudih30Parbeliya Colliery Sidings
JharkhandWest Bengal border overDamodarChaurashi Goods Siding
Jharkhand
West Bengal
border over
Damodar
Bhojudih Coal Washery26Ramkanali
31Bero
STPS Siding
Santaldih23RTPP sidings
Damodar River
Rukni1537Joychandi Pahar
Sanka7
Gardhrubeswar480│41Adra Junction
to MuriKharagpur–Bankura–Adra line
Kharagpur–Bankura
–Adra line
Kotshila Junction36
to Gomoh55Anara
Barbenda3261Bagalia
Garh Jaipur2969Kustaur
Chas Road2273Charrah Charra Airfield
Gourinathdham15
to Chhatna(planned)
to Chhatna
(planned)
0│81Purulia
Kangsabati River
88Tamna
96Kantadih
104Urma
112Barabhum
117Biramdih
West BengalJharkhand border
West Bengal
Jharkhand
126Nimdih
Barkakana–Muri–Chandilline
Barkakana–Muri–Chandil
line
135Chandil
141Manikui
Bihar Sponge Iron Sidings
Subarnarekha River
146Kunki
to Namkom(planned)Amalgam Power& Steel Sidings
to Namkom
(planned)
Amalgam Power
& Steel Sidings
149Kandra
Tatanagar–Bilaspursection
Tatanagar–Bilaspur
section
Birbans170154Birrajpur
Tata Sponge Iron Siding
160Gamharia Junction
166Adityapur
Kharkai River
Sonari Airport
Tatanagar Junction0│171TISCO Steel Plant
Haludpukur22
Sidhirsai343Salgajhari
JharkhandOdisha borderJojobera Power Plant
Jharkhand
Odisha
Bahalda Road427Govindpur
Aonlajori Junction5514Asanboni
Gorumahisani6419Rakha Mines
Rairangpur65Subarnarekha River
Kuldiha7326Galudih
Chhanua8036Ghatsila
Badampahar8942Chirugoda
48Dalbhumgarh
57Kokpara
66Chakulia Chakulia Airport
Chakulia-Buramara newline (planned)
Chakulia-Buramara new
line (planned)
Purnapani72Kanimahuli
BorolJharkhandWest Bengal border
Jharkhand
West Bengal
Baharagora80Gidhni
JharkhandOdisha border88Khatkura
Jharkhand
Odisha
Subarnarekha river95Jhargram
Jamsolato Bhadutala(planned)
to Bhadutala
(planned)
Jharpokaria104Banstala
Rupsa–Bangriposi line111Sardiha
Buramara119Khemasuli
125Kalaikunda Kalaikunda Air Force Station
Rupsa–Bangriposi lineKharagpur–Bankura–Adra line
Kharagpur–Bankura
–Adra line
Nimpura127Nimpura Through Yard
Nimpura Goods Yard
131Girimaidan
Hijli133
Kharagpur–Puri line
134Kharagpur Junction
Howrah–Kharagpur line

In 2013-14, the Santuri CD block had 3 originating/ terminating bus routes.

State Highway 8 running from Santaldih (in the Purulia district) to Majhdia (in the Nadia district) passes through this CD block.

The Asansol-Adra line of the South Eastern Railway passes through this block and there are stations at Madhukunda and Muradi.

Education

In 2013-14, the Santuri CD block had 89 primary schools with 6,682 students, 13 middle schools with 999 students, 6 high schools with 2,321 students and 6 higher secondary schools with 4,601 students. Santuri CD Block had 176 institutions with 4,230 students for special and non-formal education.

See also – Education in India

According to the 2011 census, in Santuri CD block, amongst the 92 inhabited villages, 13 villages did not have a school, 18 villages had two or more primary schools, 24 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 17 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.

Healthcare

In 2014, the Santuri CD block had 1 block primary health centre, 2 primary health centres and 1 private nursing home, with total 296 beds and 24 doctors. 13,260 patients were treated indoor and 216,626 patients were treated outdoor in the health centres and subcentres of the CD block.

Muraddi Rural Hospital, with 30 beds at Muraddi, is the major government medical facility in the Santuri CD block. Among the other medical facilities are the Balitora Block Primary Health Centre, with 10 beds and a primary health centre, with 10 beds, at Santuri.

External links

  • Baranti travel guide from Wikivoyage