chapter-2 chapter-2.a. profile of the...

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PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA Page 49

CHAPTER-2

CHAPTER-2.a.

PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT

Summary: In introductory chapter we have portrayed a general picture of the industry

covering meaning of silk, origin of the term sericulture, historical, mythological and

literary reference of silk. Varieties of silk, its’ uses and importance. Present position of

the industry as well as prospect of the industry has also been discussed. In this part we

have tried to illuminate the study units, literature relevant to the sericulture industry,

objectives of the study and research methodology of the study.

2.a.1. The Research Strategy

It is our responsibilities to get acquainted with the study area in terms of her general

phenomena. In this study district refers to the district Purulia and state refers to the state

West Bengal.

The study on Profitability and Viability of sericulture industry of the district was

conducted on 250 units of 10 blocks of the district. Profiles of the industry in these blocks

are presented in subsequent chapters. As a whole 100 farmer, 55 reelers, 55 weavers and

40 traders participated in the study.

The main aim of the study is to focus on the working practices adopted and profit earning

capacity of different units of the industry. The researcher has a gut feeling on the

sericulture industry that the sericulture industry can be an instrument for improvement of

living and life of the rural people of a remote and backward district of the state West

Bengal. Another important focus point of the study is to mention that in spite of its

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immense potential and prospects the Sericulture industry has long been working as an

unorganized cottage based small scale unit.

Sericulture Industry of the Purulia district has been chosen for the study. The

district located in the extreme western part of the state West Bengal. Empirical study has

been made on ten blocks of the district. These ten blocks have been selected for study on

the basis of their contribution to the total contribution of sericulture industry in the

district. Raghunathpur-I, Santuri, Kashipur, Balarampur, Manbazar-I, Puncha, Hura,

Purulia-I and Bundwan for pre-cocoon stage are adopted, while for post-cocoon stage

areas under Raghunathpur-I, Singh Bazar, Mohandi and Rajnowagarh located in

Raghunathpur-I, Purulia-II , Manbazar-I and Puncha respectively are surveyed.

2.a.2. District Purulia at a glance- Various revolutions, struggles and political

movements enriched the major part of the life history of the district of Purulia. It entered

the history long ago. Plince’s description, Hu-En-Sung’s declaration and also the history

of ‘Orissa Invasion’ by Man Singha in the 16th

century made reference to Manbhum

zone1. This zone pondered the heroic struggle in 1360 against Sultan FirozSahTughlakh.

Chuarh (a tribal class) Agitation in 1767-1832, Sepoy Mutiny in 18572, Munda

Revolution in 1895-1900 and Anti-Partition movement in 1905 are some of such heroic

events, which are vivid in the history. Freedom movement got a huge momentum at the

inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1925. In 1942, people of

this zone consolidated their political conscience through active participation in the Quit

India Movement. They remained stuck to the mission even in the face of severe torture

resulting in numerous death tolls. Sacrifice of life was a regular outcome of the

revengeful grudge of the British Rule and the then police force3&4

.

There are various opinions about the origin of the name Purulia. Purulia is also

called by other names as Purulya, Puruila, and Purulha. Famous poet Michel

MadhusudanDutta passed a part of his life as an employee of PanchikotRaj atKashipur of

Purulia and he called it as purulye. The word ‘Pur’ in Sanskrit means city and locality.

According to one group, the name has its origin in it. According to another group ‘Purul’

or ‘Poral’ is one kind of vegetable. Parul is one kind of tree. So the name ‘Purulia’ has

come from it. Dr. SukumarSen also supports this conception5.

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Location and Boundary: Purulia district had undergone numerous and lengthy

phases of reforms before emerged as a separate district in West Bengal from Manbhum

district of Bihar on and from 1st Nov. 1956 under the West Bengal and Bihar

(Reorganisation of Territories) Act, 1956. Originally, Manbhum district, as it was formed

in 1833, comprised of Dhanbad, Purulia and a part of Bankura district covering 7896 sq.

miles. In 1879, the area was curtailed to 3759 sq. miles and finally it has an area of only

2407 sq. miles or 6259 sq. km. at present out of which the urban and rural areas consist of

79.37 sq. kms (1.27 per cent) and 6179.63 sq. kms (98.73 per cent) respectively.. So,

decades were spent to settle the administrative and political status of this district. Most of

the land containing huge deposit of quality materials and fertile land was shifted to Bihar,

now at Jharkhand. So proximity to important minerals required for industrial production

was lost.

Three sides, viz., north, west and south of the district are surrounded by the state

Jharkhand. On major part of the eastern side of the district the district of Bankura is

situated. The district also touches a part of Burdwan District on the northeast and a part

of Midnapore district on the southeast. Its latitudinal and longitudinal extents are from

22°42´35´´ to 23°42´00´´North and from 85°49´25´´ to 86°54´37´´East respectively. The

landscape of Purulia is quite unique having distinctive soil, terrain, drainage, forest and

whole gamut of physical environmental set up which is within the ambit of Rarh tract of

West Bengal.

Administrative Setup: The District head quarters is situated at Purulia town having three

administrative subdivisions namely Sadar-East, Sadar-West and Raghunathpur. There are

20 police stations, 20 community development blocks, 3 municipalities, 170

grampanchayet, 2683 Mouzas and 2468 inhabited villages in the district.

Analysis of Resources

The term resource refers to human resource as well as natural resource. So analysis

is made accordingly.

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A) Human Resources: Study of human resource shows various quantitative features of

these resources in the district. In under mentioned paragraphs we present those features of

the district.

i)Population Feature at a Glance: The district has a total population of 2927965 (as per

2011census) of which 2554584 (87.24%) are residing in rural areas and 373381 (12.76%)

in urban areas. About 51.15% are males and the rest are females. Scheduled castes and

scheduled tribes’ constitute18.29% (463956) and 18.27% (463452) of the total population

respectively. Purulia district is having second highest percentage of tribal population of

the state (18.3 per cent) after Jalpaiguri (18.9 per cent). People of different religious

communities live in Purulia. Majority of the people (about 83.42%) believe in Hinduism.

Others have faith in Islam, Christianity and Jainism etc.

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PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA 3

Table-2.a.1

Table showing Population by Sex, area and year in the district of Purulia6 .

(Number)

Year Total

Population

Inde

x

with

1901

as

base

No. of

Males

No. of

Females

No.

of

femal

e per

100

males

Urban

population

Rural

population

% of rural

population

to total

population

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)

1901 777801 100 386741 391060 101 0 777801 100.00

1911 884372 114 441874 442498 100 0 884372 100.00

1921 831497 107 416347 415150 100 34391 797106 95.86

1931 972077 125 488804 483273 99 40037 932040 95.88

1941 1088201 140 550477 537724 98 61258 1026943 94.37

1951 1169097 150 589507 579590 98 78470 1090627 93.29

1961 1360016 175 689351 670665 97 92478 1267538 93.20

1971 1602875 206 816544 786331 96 132367 1470508 91.74

1981 1853801 238 947195 906606 96 166762 1687039 91.00

1991 2224577 286 1142771 1081806 95 210006 2014571 90.56

2001 2536516 326 1298078 1238438 95 255426 2281090 89.93

2011 2927965 376 1497656 1430309 96 373381 2554584 87.25

Source: Relevant official records and census reports up to 2011 consolidated.

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The key point is that the concentration of population in the rural Purulia(87%) is too high in

comparison with state (68.13%) and national level(68.84%) as per census 2011.

Economic and cultural life of the population depends largely on the scope and opportunity

prevails in the rural Purulia. In spite of having high concentration of population in the district

Purulia. The district has sufficient means of livelihood. As a consequence migration from rural

areas to urban areas increasing. Both rural and urban economy has low employment

opportunities. Thus unemployment increases. Sericulture industry being a labour intensive

cottage based small scale industry has potentiality to provide effective employment for this

unemployed population.

ii)Age Composition of population: The study of age composition is helpful in determining the

proportion of employable persons in the total population. According to 2011 census report the

working age group of the population is considered as 15-60 years. Persons belonging to 0-15 and

60 and above groups are not considered as a part of the working population. However in the field

survey we have found active participation of the age group of 60 and above in all sorts of

activities of the industry with the required skill and expertise.

Table- 2.a.2: Percentage Distribution of Population by age Group

Year Age Group

0-15 15-60 60 and above

1971 40.95 53.75 5.30

1981 39.00 55.40 5.60

1991 37.90 56.16 5.94

2001 35.51 57.16 7.33

2011 37.90 56.16 5.94

Source: District Statistical Hand Book (compiled 1971 – 2011)

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A slight change has occurred in favour of working age group i.e. 15-60 years of age

since 1971. However it is surprising that during a span of forty years (1971-2011) age wise

distribution of population is almost static. If development of a locality measures in terms of the

age-group distribution of population of the district it indicates very poor picture.

iii) Density of Population

Table-2.a.3: Density of Population (per Sq. Km.)

Area Rural Urban Total

Year Purulia West

Bengal

Purulia West Bengal Purulia West Bengal

1971 237 NA 2407 NA 256 NA

1981 272 NA 3032 NA 296 615

1991 325 576 3818 6079 355 767

2001 368 676 4640 6789 405 904

2011 412 728 6223 8653 468 1029

Source: Census of India 1971-2011

Table-2.a.3 shows that the population density of Purulia has been increased continuously since

1971 in both rural and urban areas. The overall density of population increased from 296 in 1981

to 468 in 2011. It implies an increase by 58 % in 30 years. On the other hand density of

population of the state has increased by 67 % in those 30 years. During the period of 20 years

from 1991 to 2011 rural population increased by 26.77% and 26.38% for Purulia and west

Bengal respectively. It implies that rate of increase in density of population in the district and in

the state is almost same with a marginal higher rate in the district. On the other hand urban

population has increased by 63% and 42% in Purulia and West Bengal respectively. It shows a

higher rate of migration of rural people to urban areas. The district has a huge quanity of barren

land suitable for sericulture activities. Therefore adoption of effective measures by the

government authorities for development of sericulture activities in the district would reduce this

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tendency of migration to urban areas as well as turns to be an effective means for rural

upliftment,

iv) Literacy Rate in Purulia

Table No-2.a.4.

TABLE SHOWING LITERACY RATE IN PURULIA (IN %)

Year Total Male Female

1971 21.50 34.27 8.25

1981 35.24 50.74 18.87

1991 43.30 62.20 23.20

2001 55.57 73.72 36.50

2011 65.38 78.85 51.29

Source: Census Report-1971-2011 combined.

Table no 2.a.4 shows an increasing trend of total literacy rate as well as literacy rate for both

male and female. In spite of that literacy rate in Purulia (65.38%) is lower than the state level

(76.26%) an national level (74%) as per census 2011. State and national male literacy rate as per

census 2011 were 82.67% and 82.1%, while it was 78.85% in Purulia. Female literacy rate in the

district standing at 51.29% as per census 2011 was strikingly low as compared to state (71.16%)

and national (65.5%) female literacy rate. This aspect of the district calls for serious attention as

no society could achieve sustainable growth without literacy and education.

v) Employment Scenario in Purulia.

Table no.-2.a.5

TABLE SHOWING EMPLOYMENT SCENARIO IN PURULIA

Category Percentage distribution as par census

1981 1991 2001 2011

A. Main

Workers

i)Cultivators 15.68 17.52 13.91

ii)Agricultural

labourers

7.70 9.00 6.01

iii)Industrial

Workers

0.99 0.98 3.33

Iv)Other workers 6.73 7.88 11.20

Total 31.10 35.38 34.45 20.93

B.Marginal

Workers

7.17 7.80 19.0 21.71

c. Non-Workers 61.73 56.82 46.55 57.36

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It is evident from Table- 2.a.5 that the importance of agricultural and industrial sector in

the field of employment generation has increased during the past three decades. Simultaneously

non-worker portion of the population has moderately decreased. It is a positive indication

towards solution of unemployment problem. Thus the high proportion of agricultural worker

with high rate of illiteracy (46.8% illiterate among rural people) implied lower stage of economic

development. However census 2011 shows decline in the percentage of main workers as against

total population in one hand and on the other hand rise in the percentage of marginal and non-

workers. It is mostly due to non-creation of employment opportunities to a desirable extent in the

district. Percentage of main workers, marginal workers and non-workers in the state were

28.14%, 16.61% and 55.25% respectively .On the other hand respective percentage of main

workers, marginal workers and non-workers at national level were 29.94%, 13.43% and 56.63%.

It implies percentage of main and marginal workers are lower than state and national figures.

While higher percentage of non-worker population hints that human resource is vastly available

in the district and subject to deploy in the sericulture industry for inclusive growth of the industry

as well as economy of Purulia.

B) Natural Resources: Natural Resource includes basically land, water resources, fisheries,

mineral resources, forests, marine resource, climate, rainfall and topography. While some

resources are renewable such as water, fisheries and forests, others like minerals are non-

renewable in nature and can be used only once.

i) Configuration of Land: In the western part of the District lower plateau is seen. On the other

hand eastern part has been covered by rocky plane surface. Actually the characteristics of

Chhotonagpur plateau are spread at most of the portions of the District. In north the region of

Panchet or Panchokote hill is located. In the western part of the district there is Baghmundi hills.

The famous Ayodhya hills are located in the south-west of the District. Its highest peak is

Gorgaburu or Gangaburu (2,200ft). Numerous small streams in its western and southern slopes

flow into the river Subarnarekha. The streams which have originated from northern slopes flow,

into Kasai and Kumari rivers.

The main rivers passing through or bordering the district are Kansabati, Kumari,

Subarnarekha and Damodar. The land surface which covers the district is mostly residual soil

formed by weathering of bed rocks.

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ii) Climate and Rainfall: The district is known for its extreme climate. Actually rainfall

characterizes the climate of the District. South-west monsoon is the principal source ofrainfall in

the District. Average annual rainfall during last 50 years is 1357 mm. The relative humidity is

high in monsoon season, being 75% to 85%. But in summer it comes down to 25% to 35%. It has

been observed that medium type of drought occurs once in every 3 years and severe type of

drought attacks once in every 10 years in the District. Temperature varies in wide range from 7º

Celsius in winter to 46.5º Celsius in summer. The monthly rainfall in the District is shown in the

table below-

Table-2.a.6: Monthly Rainfall in the District (in mm.)

(Millimetre)

Month

Normal Actual

2011 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

January 5 - 13 1 - 4

February 12 37 2 - 1 1

March 22 39 8 9 1 37

April 22 20 18 - 9 38

May 74 69 44 116 79 79

June 224 123 382 59 104 421

July 288 549 425 197 159 227

August 292 397 217 295 192 393

September 221 348 223 267 148 337

October 81 19 16 77 46 20

November 7 13 - 3 9 -

December 8 - - - 50 -

Total 1256 1614 1348 1024 798 1557

Source: Meteorological Department, Govt. of India

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iii) Ground Water Resource: The district is normed as drought prone as par official records.

Records available with department of irrigation shows that the district possesses only 9972 tanks

and 4312 wells. On the other hand water table the indicator of water level in land area shows that

water level rises up to 7 meters bgl during July to October and reduces up to 100 meter bgl

during rest of the year. Though a river Damodar situated at the north boundary of the district and

river Dwarakewar runs through the district the distirct does not have enough water supply to

provide for industrial set ups and irrigation at a mass.

iv) Forest Resource: The natural forests of the district are primarily of damped and deciduous in

nature and restricted to north-west part of the district covering Ayodhya hills and Panchet hills of

north-east. The sal forests are present in a few regions of the district. It occupies 12% of the total

district area.

The area under forest is 127508.37 hectares. Revenue earned from forest resource was

Rs. 9653 thousand in 2011-12.

v) Mineral Resource: Purulia district is endowed with mineral resources of wide range of

varieties. These varieties are of basically non-metallic types. According to the findings of

Geological Survey of India there are ten types of mineral deposits in this district. The main ones

are coal, limestone, rock phosphate, china clay, quartz etc.

Coal: The main mineral resource of the district is coal. The southern part of the Raniganj

coalfield lies in the north-eastern corner of the district. Total estimated reserve of coal in

Madhukunda, Hijuli-Disergarh, Paradih, Ranipur-Parbelia blocks is about 450 million tons.

Disergarh Seam comprises good quality of semi-coking blendable coal, containing volatile 27-

38% and Ash 14.2-24.4%. Coal is suitable for power plants, as domestic fuels and in other

industries.

Rock Phosphate: Main deposits are at Beldih, Kutni, Culghora, Medinitanr, Panrikidih and

Lanka. Tentative reserve in the district estimated at about 10 million tons. Generally it is used as

direct application fertilizer.

Limestone: Deposits are located at Jhalda, Kansapathar, and Baghmara. About 20 million tons of

low grade limestone containing 25% of CaO is available in the district. It may be used in cement

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plants either by beneficiating or by blending with high grade carbonates and also in production

of lime.

Dolomite: Main deposits are in Boch area. Total estimated reserve down to a depth of 60m is

1.05 million tons of all grades. Mainly it is used in steel industries.

China Clay: Main deposits of clay in the district are found at Dhatara, Kalajhor, Mahatomara,

Hankasara, Sialdanga, Khariduara, Malati etc. Total deposit is about 3 million tons. Main use of

it is in ceramic and other industries.

2.3 Analysis of Infrastructure

Some basic facilities, commonly known as infrastructure, play a crucial role towards

economic development of a district. The existing infrastructure of the district has been dealt with

in terms of economic and social infrastructures.

A. Economic infrastructural facilities consist of

1. Irrigation

2. Power

3. Transportations

4. Communications

5. Financial Infrastructure

2. Power: Power constitutes one of the most important, components of infrastructure of the

development of both agriculture and industry. The district receives power normally from

Santaldih thermal power station. It is situated in Para block of the district. There is another 132kv

substation of DVC at Purulia which is interconnected with West Bengal State Electricity Board

system. The progress of rural electrification programme in the district is not satisfactory while all

the towns and most of the police stations are electrified. 2407 mouzas (Out of 2683 mouzas)are

electrified. The electricity consumption in the district is given below.

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Table-2.a.7: Consumption of Electricity by Different Sectors

Year Dome-

stic

Comm-

ercial

Ind

ustr

ial

Publi

c

lighti

ng

Agricult

ural

irrigatio

n &

dewateri

ng

Public

Water

Work

s &

Sewer

age

Pump

Railw

ay

Tract

ion &

Non-

Tract

ion

Miscellan

eous

(Thous

and

K.W.H

.)

Total

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

2006-

07

67825 43242 633

70

856 1921 1152 27685 584 206635

2007-

08

68455 17410 273

00

1292 391 2806 34241 - 151895

2008-

09

90697 33457 280

79

2323 884 3191 31417 1185 191233

2009-

10

91998 18758 137

13

1337 555 1278 32842 5574 166055

2010-

11

101766 22734 134

71

2071 688 1423 31992 7811 181956

Source : Divisional Engineer, (O&M), W.B.S.E.B. Purulia.

The table shows that the district is unable to explore the modern technology based

on electricity in the field of production sector. Only non productive domestic consumption

increased during the study period. This also proves backwardness of electrification programme.

3. Transportations: Railways and roadways constitute the transport system of Purulia.

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a) Railway Network: The South-Eastern railway divisional headquarters is situated at

Adra and the broad gauge kilometer range is about 233 kms within the division. The district is

served by 3 rail connections. One line runs from Bihar in the south through the district up to

Asansol passing through Adra. Another line runs between Bankura and Dhanbad via Adra. The

third one connects Jhalda to Chas in Jharkkhand. Major cities and towns like Kharagpur, Ranchi,

Tatanagar, Patna, Howrah, Dhanbad, Asansol, Puri, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Chennai, Malda

Town and even Guwahati etc are now well connected with Purulia by direct mail/express trains.

b) Road Network: All season good quality roads are also connected the distirct town and

the villages.

National highway 32 connects Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Chas and Dhanbad. The state

highway of the district vizstate highway 2 and state high way 4 cover about 211 kms apart from

ZillaParishad roads and major district roads.

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Following table shows road network of the district for last five years

Table No-2.a.8

Table Showing: Length of Roads Maintained by Different Administrative Bodies.

Unit: Kilometer.

Year P.W.D. ZillaParishad Gran

Panchayet&PanchayetSamity

Prime

Minister’s

Gram

SarakYojana

2006-07 853.00 1475.82 4075.00 162.5

2007-08 857.00 1360.32 4099.00 278.00

2008-09 859.00 1283.67 4074.99 384.66

2009-10 861.00 1269.92 3863.24 472.96

2010-11 863.00 1313.79 3863.24 561.26

Source: District Statistical Hand Book 2010, 11 Combined.

The table shows in last five years road maintained by the authorities blonging to government of

India has increased. On the other hand the administrative bodies of Government of West Bengal

show fluctuation in the length of roads maintained even decline.

4. Communications: The total number of post offices is 443 and the number of combined offices

(Post & Telegraph) is 90. There are 20 electronic telephone exchanges connecting the district to

the outer world. In the age of internet, communication with outer world is quite easy and at door

steps.

5. Financial Institutions: The banking and financial network is not adequate having

concentration at the municipalities and urban agglomerations. United Bank of India is the lead

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bank in the district. There are 124 branches of commercial banks, 29 branches of R.R.Bs, 7

branches of co-operative banks and 2 non-bank financial institutions. As per the performance

report of the banks the investment towards agriculture and allied sector is low – while that in

industrial sector is promising.

B. Social Infrastructure: Prevalence of compatible social infrastructure along with industrial

infrastructure is of vital importance for an overall growth process of any economy. In Purulia

district there are 2998 primary schools, 197 junior high schools, 163 high schools and 171 higher

secondary schools. Besides these, the district also possesses 17 degree colleges ,9 technical

schools including polytechnics, industrial training institutes and junior technical schools and 9

technical colleges including 4 B.Ed colleges. One university, named Sidho-Kanho-Birsha

University is established w.e.f. 6th

July 2010; side by side 5 study centers of open universities are

also in operation in the district.

There is one District Hospital (Purulia), one State General Hospital (Raghunathpur),two

State Special Hospital (Purulia), one Central Aided Hospital (Adra), four Private Aided

Hospitals, five Rural Hospitals, 15 BPHC and 53 PHCs in the district rendering medical services

for the people of the district. Still quantity does not speak for quality. All of the medical aides

mentioned above suffer from lack of physicians, lack of modern pathological facilities, and

inefficiency in using radiological equipments.

There is a District Science Centre which primarily aims at motivating and encouraging

the people of the district to popularize science.

2.4 Agriculture and Allied Activities

Agriculture forms the backbone of Purulia’s economy. A large portion of the

income comes from agriculture though the per-capita income is considerably low. On the other

hand agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the major portion of (about 72%) of the

population living in rural areas. Most rural households practice subsistence farming under

adverse and risky environmental conditions. The natural resource base can be characterized as

poorly suited to agriculture due to climatic, water resource, and soil conditions.

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i) Agricultural Land: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the wide range of the district. For

that the soil of the district is mostly sedentary in nature. Only in valley bottom alluvial is found.

Undulated uplands are shallow, gravely, coarse textured, well drained having low water holding

capacity and are susceptible to erosion. Gora and baid land, which occupies 60% of the

cultivated area is situated at upland and is not suitable for wet land cultivation. The kanali land

(soil of the land between ridges and valley bottom) is moderately deep, light to medium texture,

low in organic content. Clay content usually increases along with depth. This type of land is

suitable for cultivation and amounts to 25% to 30% of total cultivable area. Bahal (lower valley

bottom soils) are deep to very deep with medium to fine texture and suffer from drainage

problem. This type of land amounts to 10% to 15% of total cultivable area.

ii) Agricultural Worker: Agricultural workers are also classified as cultivators and agricultural

labourers. As per 2001 census data 29.92% of total population of the district are engaged in

agricultural activity while it has been worked out to be 26.52% for the 1991 census data. Out of

this 15.90% are cultivators and 14.01% are agricultural labourers. Corresponding figures for the

census year 1991 are 17.52% and 9.00%. Therefore we can say that the proportion of people

engaged in agricultural activity is increasing but there is significant migration of occupation from

cultivators to agricultural labourers. This is not at all welcome trend for agricultural economy.

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Table-2.a.9:

Table showing distribution of Agricultural Workers in the district.

Cultivators Agricultural Labourer

Year Male Female Total Male Female Total

Rural

2001 230321 121063 351384 172144 232417 404561

1991 277759 109190 386949 112171 85659 197830

Urban

2001 1015 313 1328 867 795 1662

1991 1952 285 2237 1799 576 2375

Total

2001 231336 121376 352712 173011 233212 406223

1991 279711 109475 389186 113970 86235 200205

Source: Census of India 1991-2001

Previously in Rabi season a major portion of agricultural labourer usually used to go to

other agriculturally developed districts in search of their livelihood. NREGS is now operative in

the district. In spite of that there are huge number of seasonal unemployed people waiting for for

deploying their labour.

iii) Irrigation: Cultivation in the district is basically dependent on rain fed water and Kharif crop

is the main crop. Actually mono crop system mostly prevails here, whereas Rabi crop is found

only on lower land which has significant irrigation facilities. The source of irrigation is depicted

here-

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Table- 2.a.10: Area Irrigated by Different Sources

Unit: Thousand hectares

Year Govt. Canal Tank RLI ODW Others Total

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

2006-07 28.83 28.85 0.97 3.44 9.04 71.13

2008-09 30.36 46.86 0.70 3.45 10.02 91.39

2009-10 27.66 53.16 0.73 3.45 10.84 95.84

2010-11 8.90 60.21 1.14 3.45 12.13 85.83

Sources: Executive Engineer, Agri. Irrigation, Purulia

RLI-RIVER LIFT IRRIGATION

ODW-OPEN DUG WELLS

Total area of irrigated land is very low. It may be due to topography of the district. On the other

hand rainfall, soil quality and average temperature of the district isfavourable to saplings of food

plants for silkworm.

iv) Land Utilization: Utilization of land depends upon various factors such as fertility of land,

soil pattern, irrigation system, climatic condition, traditional practices and profitability etc. How

these factors affect in utilizing land in the district in what extent will be revealed by the

following table.

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Table no.-2.a.11

TABLE SHOWING: LAND UTILISATION PATTERN

Year

Report

ing

Area

Forest

Area

Area

under

Non-

agricu

ltural

use

Barren

&

uncultiva

ble land

Perman

ent

pastures

& other

grazing

land

Land

under

misc.

tree

groves

not

includ

ed in

Net

area

sown

Cultiv

ble

waste

land

Fallo

w

land

other

than

curre

nt

fallo

w

Curren

t fallow

Net

area

sown

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)

2006-

07 625.65 75.05 99.90 6.30 1.03 3.92 8.94 4.73 115.53 310.24

2007-

08 625.65 75.05 100.23 4.19 2.55 3.18 7.32 5.24 114.97 312.92

2008-

09 625.65 75.05 104.33 4.32 3.10 2.50 7.90 5.82 105.54 317.09

2009-

10 625.65 75.05 104.48 5.31 2.56 3.19 8.23 4.72 102.70 319.41

2010-

11 625.65 75.05 105.72 3.20 1.81 2.52 7.60 4.22 199.40 226.13

Source: Directorate of Agriculture, W.B.

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v) Cropping Pattern: Cropping pattern of a district is an indicator of agricultural development of

the district. Varieties of crops are produced in Purulia and the principal crops include rice,

wheat, maize, pulses, and oilseed. Except these crops Lac and tasar are cultivated in forest for

industrial purpose. In the district rice is produced in major area compared to other crops. The

table above gives us the idea of area, production & productivity under principal crops during

2005-06 to 2010-11. (see table-2.a.12.)

Table no-2.a.12

Table Showing Statistics of Food Grain

Year Cereals Pulses Total Food Grain

Area

(’000

Hectar

es)

Produc

tion

(’000

Tonne

s)

Product

ivity

(Kilogr

am per

Hectare

)

Area

’000

Hectar

es)

Product

ion

(’000

Tonnes

)

Produc

tivity

(Kilog

ram

per

Hectar

e)

Area

(’000

Hecta

res)

Product

ion

(’000

Tonnes)

Producti

vity

(Kilogra

m per

Hectare)

2006 282.2 554.1 1964 13.2 4.5 339 295.4 558.6 1891

2007 294.1 754.4 2565 14.3 6.2 437 308.4 760.6 2466

2008 322.9 779.1 2413 12.5 4.9 392 335.4 784.0 2338

2009 310.3 758.6 2445 16.1 7.1 439 326.4 765.7 2346

2010 275 611.4 2223 12.5 4.1 333 287.5 615.5 2141

2011 160.7 276.6 1721 9.8 2.6 266 170.5 279.2 1637

vi) Animal Husbandry: Animal husbandry plays an important role in the rural economy of the

district though the rearing of animals is mostly confined to the local variety. Livestock

population comprises around 22.50 lakhs of animals and 26.01lakhs of poultry birds. The growth

rate of livestock population is estimated to be approximately 2.03% per year. In the district

production of milk (cow, buffalo, and goat) and egg (hen and duck) are 52 thousand tons and

P a g e | 70


288, 76, 49,000 pieces respectively. The source of the data Live-stock Census Report, Govt. of

W.B. (2008)

2.5 Industry

The economy of Purulia has minor dependence on industrial sector. Purulia in the

southwestern section of West Bengal is an enclosed tract bounded by Bardhaman, Bankura and

Midnapore districts in West Bengal and Bokaro and Ranchi districts of Jharkhand. The

geographical proximity with the resourceful districts helps in setting up industry in Purulia. Only

14% of the district income comes from the industrial sector. Coal mining constitutes the major

large-scale industrial pursuit with its quarries and one coal washery, while the main industrial

activities in the small-scale sector are Lac, Sericulture (Tasar culture), Brass, Bell Metal and

cutlery.

Two large-scale units play major roles in forming the economic groundwork of Purulia,

The Santaldihi Thermal Power Plant in Santaldihi and Damodar Cement Factory at

Madhukunda. Moreover one major unit i.e. Pumped Storage Project with a capacity of

generating 4X225 MW is also operating in full swing. In the light of the new Industrial Policy of

the Govt. of West Bengal, Purulia has achieved a marked visibility among the investors since the

beginning of 2001. In recent years there has also been a giant leap in the large-scale sector with a

number of big entrepreneurs showing great interest in making investments in Steel, Cement and

Power sectors.

Purulia with its rich mineral reserve, vast tract of land, wide rail road network, surplus

labour force, picturesque tourist locations, forests, rivulets and hillocks has enough potentialities

to be developed as one of the major Industrial centre of West Bengal as well as of India.

i) Large Scale Industry: The District has only three large scale industrial units. One is Santaldih

Thermal Power plant at Santaldih and other is A.C.C. Cement Factory, Madhukunda. Third one

is Pumped Storage Project at Baghmundi. One major unit i.e. Jay Balaji groups enterprise at

Raghunathpur with generation of 3 million ton steel, 800 MW electricity and one million ton

cement was under construction stage. However dispute arises out of land acquisition

P a g e | 71


controversies has paralyzed the project. Thus a prospect of all-round development has also been

postponed.

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has set up a thermal power plant at Raghunathpur

sub-division. The estimated capacity is 2400 Mw. The industry is likely to be expanded and

extended to 4400MW. Land acquisition for 1600 acres of land is going on. Like the project of

Jay Balaji groups a part of such land has been facing land acquisition disputes with the artisans.

The said land is marked for water corridor to bring water from the river Damodar. As a

consequence test production in a few units has taken place in 2013-14. The possibility of full

fledged production is fading out day by day. In addition land acquisition of 5000 acres was

proposed to be go on in favour of WBIDC under whose agencies Jay Balaji Company, Shyam

Steel Company, Adhunik Steel Company are going to set iron & steel plants to produce iron &

steel along with some associated products. The land acquisition dispute has again postponed the

possibilities of industrialization in the distirct.

ii) Medium Scale Industry: There are some medium scale industrial units. They are engaged in

producing slag cement, H.D.P.O oven sack, railway concrete sleeper, sponge iron, lump of

metal, Shellac Commodity. These types of industries are mainly located at Balarampur, Nituria,

Jhalda and Madhukunda belt in view of certain facilities available in these areas.

P a g e | 72


Table-2.a.13: Total Number of Enterprises (Agricultural and Non agricultural) in Purulia

Area/

Sector

Agricultural Non-agricultural

Year-> 1980 1990 1998 2005 1980 1990 1998 2005

Rural 3699

(9.54)

3927

(7.52)

2591

(4.29)

4683

(6.45)

35068

(90.45)

48272

(92.48)

57788

(95.71)

67925

(93.55)

Urban 298

(3.45)

321

(2.57)

310

(2.15)

192

(1.27)

8337

(96.55)

12168

(97.43)

14055

(97.85)

14954

(98.73)

Total 3997

(8.43)

4248

(6.59)

2901

(3.88)

4875

(5.560)

43405

(91.57)

60440

(93.41)

60440

(93.41)

82879

(94.44)

Source: Economic Census1980, 1990, 1998 & 2005 (Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage)

Table 2.a.13 shows that the number of non- agricultural enterprises in Purulia was more

than 90 percent of the total number of enterprises (Agricultural & Non-agricultural). Non-

agricultural enterprises increased in urban areas continuously during 1980 to 2005. During the

period 1980 to 1998 the number of non-agricultural enterprises in rural areas increased but

during the period 1998 to 2005 the number has deceased.

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Table- 2.a.14: Annual Growth Rate of Non-agricultural Enterprises in Purulia

During the period 1980-2005 (in Per Cent).

Period

/Area

1980-1990 1990-1998 1998-2005

Rural

3.77 2.46 2.51

Urban 4.60 1.94 0.91

Total 3.92 2.36 2.19

Source: Economic Cencus :1980,1990,1998,2005

The table 2.a.14 shows that annual growth rate of non-agricultural enterprises in Purulia has

declined in during 1990-98 as compared to 1980-90. However there was recovery in the period

of 1998-2005.

Table 2.a.15. : Table Showing NUMBER OF EMPLOYMENT IN ENTERPRISES

YEAR 1980 1990 1995 2005

RURAL 88500 116700 155200 141490

URBAN 39400 45400 58728 43879

TOTAL 127900 162100 213948 185369

Source: Economic Census1980, 1990, 1998 & 2005

Table 2.a.15 shows that number of employment in enterprises increased continuously

from 1980 to 1998, but after 1998 to 2005 employment in enterprises decreased in all areas.

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Table- 2.a.16. Table showing Average Annual Growth Rate (percentage) in Employment

in Enterprises

YEAR

1980-90 1990-98 1998-2005

RURAL 3.15 4.12 (-) 1.26

URBAN 1.52 3.67 (-)3.61

TOTAL 2.67 3.99 (-) 1.91

Source: Economic Census1980, 1990, 1998 & 2005

Table 2.a.16. Shows that average annual growth rate increased during the 1990 to 1998.

During 1998-2005 the average annual growth rate in employment was negative in both rural and

urban areas. In urban areas the negative annual growth rate was higher than in rural areas.

iii)Small Scale Industrial Units in Purulia

Table-2.a.17: Dispersal of Registered working SSIunits in Rural and Urban areas

In Purulia and West Bengal

Census

Number

Rural Urban Total

Purulia WB Purulia WB Purulia WB

2nd

Census

(1987-88)

1040

(66.24%)

20558

(44.74%)

530

(33.76%)

25396

(55.26%)

1570

(100%)

45954

(100%)

3rd

Census

(2001-02)

746

(59.97%)

16574

(39.32%)

498

(40.03%)

25574

(60.68%)

1244

(100%)

42148

(100%)

Source:-2nd

& 3rd

All India census of SSI Units

P a g e | 75


Table 2.a.17shows that the percentage of SSI units in the rural areas decreased both in

Purulia and in West Bengal and obviously, the percentage of SSI units in urban areas increased

during the period 1987-88 to 2001-02.

The main types of Rural Non-agricultural Enterprises in Purulia are as follows:

1)Mining & Quarrying 2) Manufacturing & Repair 3) Electricity, Gas & Water 4) Construction

5) Wholesale Trade 6) Retail Trade 7) Restaurants & Hotels 8) Transport 9) Storage &

Warehousing 10) Communication 11) Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Service 12)

Community, Social & Personal Service etc.

2) Prospective Industries: Semi-mechanised bakery;Readymade garments; Shoes &chappals;

Plastic utensils; Dry cell battery; R.C.C.pipes.

Table-2.a.18: Percentage Distribution of SSI by Type of Activities

Type/ Area Rural Urban Total

Manufacturing 55.22 16.27 71.49

Repair & Maintenance 7.53 4.37 11.90

Services 7.35 9.26 16.61

Total 70.10 29.50 100

Sources : 1) Directorate of Cottage and Small Scale Industries,

Govt. of W.B.

Table-2.a.18 shows that manufacturing SSIs were 71.49 per cent in the total SSI sector in

Purulia out of which 55.22 per cent was in the rural areas. The percentage of SSI units engaged

in service was higher in urban areas. There was a concentration of 70.10 per cent of total SSI

units in rural areas in Purulia.

P a g e | 76


Table-2.19 :Number of Small Scale Industrial Units registered with the Directorate of

Cottage and Small Scale Industries with corresponding employment in the district of Purulia

(Number)

Year

Unit Employment

During the year Upto the year During the year Upto the year

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

2006-07 230 10028 1934 63158

2007-08 289 10317 2517 65675

2008-09 231 10548 2151 67826

2009-10 314 10862 2163 69989

2010-11 207 11069 1484 71473

Sources: i) Directorate of Cottage and Small Scale Industries, Govt. of West Bengal and ii)

Directorate of Micro & Small Scale Enterprises.

Note: After introduction of MSMEA 2006 the registration system has been abolished.

Table- 2.a.19 Indicates that both the total number of newly registered SSI units and total

employment therein decreased during the period 2009-10 to 2010-11. The type of products in

which both the number of units and employment increased were wood products, basic metal

industries, machinery & parts (except electrical), electrical machinery & apparatus and transport

equipment. There was higher number of units producing metal products, and repair service and

food products were the next two types of products according to number of SSI units. Highest

numbers of workers were was there in case of Metal products followed by food products and

chemicals & chemical products.

P a g e | 77


General Note regarding the tables presented in this chapter:

The study has tried the level best to present up to date data regarding all aspects of the district.

However regarding a few areas current data are not available. It made the researcher to limit his

study with the available data. Regarding some aspects data regarding last five years instead of

entire study period is presented to analyze recent trend. It is the humble submission of the

researcher that if data were available to the desired extent the same may led to better conclusion.

The reasons for selecting Purulia district as the area of study were:

[1]. Our study is meant for analyses of profitability and viability of sericulture more

specifically tasar culture in the district of Purulia.

The location of this district is very significant. Baring the east, which is covered by

Bankura and Midnapore, entire Purulia district is edged by the state of Jharkhand with

river Subarnarekha acting as the demarcating entity. As a matter of fact topography and

geography of this district resemble almost the same characteristics of Jharkhand. The

state-Jharkhand is in topmost rank in all counts of tasar culture.

[2]. The climate is of absolute nature. At summer there is scorching heat everywhere

while it is very cool in winter. Agriculture is not a perennial job in all rural places. On

the other hand sericulture is one of the most dominant supporting occupation of the

people of Purulia along with agriculture.

[3]. The district head quarters and Raghunathpur are not far away from industrially advanced

areas like Asansol, Burnpur, Raniganj, Bokero, Tatanagar, Dhanbad and Ranchi. Railway and

roadway transport are available here. So neighborhood to these areas could open up several

newer prospective solutions to the problems of industrialisation and employment. These areas

provide an enriched marketing base to the district. Besides Jharkhand contains a huge raw

material base to support the sericulture industry in Purulia

[4]. This district has a thermal power station of 480 megawatt at Santaldih and A

hydroelectric power project in Ayodhya hills. So increased demand for power, if at all arises,

can be catered successfully.

P a g e | 78


[5]. There is a huge supply of labourer and that could be available at a competitive cost. In

1991, out of total population, 35.38 per cent was main workers, 7.80 per cent was marginal

workers and 56.82per cent was non-workers. In 2011 out of total population 20.93 per cent

was main workers, 21.71 per cent was marginal workers and 57.36 per cent was non-workers.

So there is a decrease in percentage of main workers, but the percentage of marginal workers

has increased during the period 1991 to 2011.

2.a.3. CONCLUSION

Geo-climatic condition of the district is favorable for growth and development of Sericulture

Industry in the district Purulia. Socio-economic condition of the district is also in support to the

growth and expansion of Sericulture Industry in the district. So it may be concluded that

Sericulture Industry possess immense prospect in the district –Purulia.

--------------

P a g e | 79


References:

1. NiharRanjan Roy: BangalierItihas-AdiParba, Dey’s Publishing, Kolkata,3rd

edition, 2001,

Page-147-154.

2. Sudipta Mukherjee: AhalyaBhumiPurulia, Deep Prakashan, Kolkata, Ist edition 2003, Page-

65-71.

3. Dr. Shayma Prasad Basu: AhalyaBhumiPurulia, Deep Prakashan, Kolkata, Ist edition 2003,

Page-22-29.

4. JladharKarmakar: AhalyaBhumiPurulia, Deep Prakashan, Kolkata, Ist edition 2003, Page-49-

63.

5. Ashok Chowdhury: AhalyaBhumiPurulia, Deep Prakashan, Kolkata, Ist edition 2003, Page-

73-80.

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