Samserganj
Community development block
Interactive map of Samserganj
Coordinates:24°39′02″N87°58′12″E / 24.6505°N 87.9701°E /24.6505; 87.9701
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Murshidabad
Government
• Type	Federal democracy
Area
• Total	92.69 km2 (35.79 sq mi)
Elevation	26 m (85 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	284,072
• Density	3,065/km2 (7,938/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Bengali,English
Literacy
• Literacy(2011)	54.98%
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	742224 (Nimtita) 742202 (Dhuliyan)
Telephone/STD code	03485
ISO 3166 code	IN-WB
Vehicle registration	WB-57,WB-58
Lok Sabha constituency	Maldaha Dakshin
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Samserganj,Farakka
Website	murshidbad.nic.in

Samserganj is acommunity development block that forms an administrative division in theJangipur subdivision ofMurshidabad district in theIndianstate ofWest Bengal.

Nimtita, a constituent panchayat of Samserganj block, is located at24°39′02″N87°58′12″E / 24.6505°N 87.9701°E /24.6505; 87.9701

Samserganj CD block is bounded byFarakka CD block in the north,Kaliachak III CD block, across the Ganges in Malda district, andChapai Nawabganj Sadar Upazila inChapai Nawabganj District of Bangladesh, across the Ganges, in the east,Suti II CD block in the south andPakur andMaheshpur CD blocks, inPakur district of Jharkhand, in the west.^[1]

Murshidabad district has a 125.35 km long international border with Bangladesh of which 42.35 km is on land and the remaining is riverine. There are 9 blocks – Samserganj, Suti I, Suti II, Raghunathganj II, Lalgola, Bhagawangola I, Bhagawangola II, Raninagar II and Jalangi - along theBangladesh-India border.^[2]

Samserganj CD block lies in theRarh region in Murshidabad district. TheBhagirathi River splits the district into two natural physiographic regions – Rarh on the west and Bagri on the east. ThePadma River separates Murshidabad district fromMalda district andChapai Nawabganj andRajshahi districts of Bangladesh in the north. The Rarh region is undulating and contains mostlyclay andlateritic clay based soil. As theRajmahal hills slopes gently down from adjoiningJharkhand it forms the Nabagram plain at the lowest edge of its elevation in this region. The eastern slope of the region is characterised by the existence of numerouscliffs andbluffs.^[3][4]

The Rarh region or the western part of the district is drained by the right bank tributaries of the Bhagirathi, flowing down from the hilly / plateau region ofSanthal Pargana division in neighbouring Jharkhand. TheFarakka Barrage regulates the flow of water into the Bhagirathi through the feeder canal. Thereafter, it is fed with the discharge from the Mayurakshi system. About 1,800 km² of area in the neighbourhood ofKandi town is flooded by the combined discharge of theMayurakshi,Dwarka,Brahmani, Gambhira,Kopai andBakreshwar – the main contributor being the Mayurakshi. Certain other areas in the western sector also get flooded.^[5]

The 38.38 km longfeeder canal takes off upstream of the Farakka Barrage and links with theBhagirathi River.^[6] The feeder canal was constructed across the flow of the small flashy rivers such as Gumani, Trimohini and Kanloi. The discharges of the Trimohini and Kanloi were designed to flow into the feeder canal, and whenever the discharges of these rivers exceed the design capacity, they cause problems. The discharge of the Bagmari was designed to flow into the Ganga along its course through a siphone across the feeder canal. With the choking of the outlet to the Ganges, the flood discharge spills over to the basins of the Pagla and the Bansloi and floods around 100 km^2[5]

A major problem in Murshidabad district isriver bank erosion. As of 2013, an estimated 2.4 million people reside along the banks of the Ganges alone in Murshidabad district. Between 1931 and 1977, 26,769 hectares have been eroded and many villages have been fully submerged. 1980-1990 was a decade of erosion for this district and during the decade Giria, Sekhalipur, Khejustala, Mithipur, Fajilpur, Rajapur, Akheriganj, Parashpur villages were badly affected.^[5]

See also -River bank erosion along the Ganges in Malda and Murshidabad districts

Samserganj CD block has an area of 84.21 km². It has 1panchayat samity, 9gram panchayats, 154 gram sansads (village councils), 38mouzas and 24 inhabited villages.Samserganj police station serves this block.^[7] Headquarters of this CD block is atDhulian.^[8]

Gram panchayats in Samserganj block/ panchayat samiti are: Bhasaipaiker, Bogdadnagar, Chachanda, Dogachhinapara, Gazinagar Malancha, Kanchantala, Nimtita, Pratapganj and Tinpakuria.^[9]

According to the2011 Census of India Samserganj CD block had a total population of 284,072, of which 108,718 were rural and 175,354 were urban. There were 142,034 (50%) males and 142,038 (50%) females. Population in the age range 0-6 years was 58,190.Scheduled Castes numbered 18,399 (6.48%) andScheduled Tribes numbered 164 (0.06%).^[10]

Ratanpur, the block headquarters had a population of 1,482 in 2011.^[10]

As per 2001 census, Samserganj block has a total population of 211,561, out of which 106,427 were males and 105,134 were females. Samserganj block registered a population growth of 17.33 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the district was 23.70 per cent.^[11] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.^[12]

DecadalPopulation Growth Rate (%)

Sources:^{[13][14][15][12][16][17]}

The decadal growth of population in Samserganj CD block in 2001-2011 was 34.09%.^[18]

The decadal growth rate of population in Murshidabad district was as follows: 33.5% in 1951–61, 28.6% in 1961–71, 25.5% in 1971–81, 28.2% in 1981-91, 23.8% in 1991-2001 and 21.1% in 2001-11.^[19] The decadal growth rate for West Bengal in 2001-11 was 13.93%.^[15]

The decadal growth rate of population in neighbouringChapai Nawabganj District in Bangladesh was 15.59% for the decade 2001–2011, down from 21.67% in the decade 1991-2001.^[20]

There are reports ofBangladeshi infiltrators entering Murshidabad district.^[21][22]

Census towns in Samserganj CD block were (2011 figures in brackets):Anup Nagar (12,940),Jafrabad (28,332),Kankuria (36,925),Uttar Mahammadpur (8,264),Chachanda (14,244),Dhusaripara (17,800),Serpur (8,900),Kohetpur (5,379),Bhasaipaikar (23,141),Jaykrishnapur (12,599) andBasudebpur (6,830).^[10]

Large villages in Samserganj CD block were (2011 figures in brackets): Malancha (16,918), Antardwipa (10,605), Adwaita Nagar (6,176), Umarpur (5,785), Dogachhi (13,848), Laskarpur (6,756), Balbalpara (5,207), Chandni Daha (5,996), Hasimpur (6,539) and Durgapur (4,169).^[10]

Other villages in Samserganj CD block included (2011 population in brackets):Nimtita (2,068) and Ratanpur (1,482).

As per the 2011 census, the total number of literate persons in Samserganj CD block was 124,196 (54.98% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 68,042 (60.42% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 56,154 (49.57% of the female population over 6 years). Thegender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 10.85%.^[10]

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

In the 2011 census, Muslims numbered 237,152 and formed 83.48% of the population in Samserganj CD block. Hindus numbered 46,522 and formed 16.38% of the population. Others numbered 398 and formed 0.14% of the population. While the proportion of Muslims increased from 80.61% in 1991 to 81.22% in 2001, the proportion of Hindus declined from 19.39% in 1991 to 18.69% in 2001.^[24][25]

Murshidabad district had 4,707,573 Muslims who formed 66.27% of the population, 2,359,061 Hindus who formed 33.21% of the population, and 37, 173 persons belonging to other religions who formed 0.52% of the population, in the 2011 census. While the proportion of Muslim population in the district increased from 61.40% in 1991 to 63.67% in 2001, the proportion of Hindu population declined from 38.39% in 1991 to 35.92% in 2001.^[24][26][27]

Bengali is the predominant language, spoken by 99.89% of the population.^[28]

As per the Human Development Report 2004 for West Bengal, the rural poverty ratio in Murshidabad district was 46.12%. Purulia, Bankura and Birbhum districts had higher rural poverty ratios. These estimates were based on Central Sample data of NSS 55th round 1999-2000.^[29]

In Samserganj CD block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 3,197 and formed 2.61%, agricultural labourers numbered 12,209 and formed 9.97%, household industry workers numbered 80,000 and formed 65.31% and other workers numbered 27,085 and formed 22.11%.^[30]

There are 24 inhabited villages in Samserganj CD block. 100% villages have power supply and drinking water supply. 6 villages (25.00%) have post offices. 22 villages (91.67%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 10 villages (41.67%) have a pucca approach road and 9 villages (37.50%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 2 villages (8.33%) have agricultural credit societies and 3 villages (12.50%) have banks.^[31]

From 1977 onwards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants.^[32] Followingland reforms land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2013–14, persons engaged in agriculture in Samserganj CD block could be classified as follows:bargadars 217 (0.92%,) patta (document) holders 1,752 (7.44%), small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 1,775 (7.54%), marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 7,583 (32.22%) and agricultural labourers 12,209 (51.87%).^[30]

Samserganj CD block had 18 fertiliser depots and 42fair price shops in 2013-14.^[30]

In 2013–14, Samserganj CD block produced 346 tonnes ofAman paddy, the main winter crop from 210 hectares, 221 tonnes of wheat from 111 hectares, 145 tonnes of maize from 56 hectares, 25,898 tonnes of jute from 1,584 hectares, 2,424 tonnes of potatoes from 85 hectares and 25,001 tonnes of sugar cane from 245 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds.^[30]

In 2013–14, the total area irrigated in Samserganj CD block was 1,121 hectares, out of which 100 hectares were irrigated with tank water, 121 hectares with deep tube wells and 900 hectares by other means.^[30]

As of 2003, around 400,000 workers were engaged in the prime area locations ofbeedi making, a household industry, in Farakka, Samserganj, Suti I, Suti II, Raghunathganj I and Raghunathganj II CD blocks. The majority of those working are women and children. Almost all households are engaged in this activity.^[33][34][35]

See also –Beedi Workers of Murshidabad (in Hindi). Lok Sabha TV feature

Murshidabad is famous for its silk industry since the Middle Ages. There are three distinct categories in this industry, namely (i)Mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing (ii) Peeling of raw silk (iii) Weaving of silk fabrics.^[36]

Ivory carving is an important cottage industry from the era of the Nawabs. The main areas where this industry has flourished are Khagra and Jiaganj. 99% of ivory craft production is exported. In more recent years sandalwood etching has become more popular than ivory carving. Bell metal and Brass utensils are manufactured in large quantities at Khagra, Berhampore, Kandi and Jangipur.^[36][37]

In 2013–14, Samserganj CD block had offices of 7 commercial banks and 2gramin banks.^[30]

Murshidabad district is listed as a backward region and receives financial support from theBackward 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.^[38][39]

Barharwa–Azimganj–Katwa loop
Legend
including Nalhati–Azimganj branch line
km km Sahibganj loop Barharwa Junction 00 Sahibganj loop 5 Bonidanga Bansloi River 9 Bindubasini Halt Jharkhand West Bengal border Farakka-Kahalgaon NTPC freight loop 13 Tildanga NTPC Farakka 18 Barsoi–New Farakka section Farakka Feeder Canal Farakka Barrage acrossGanges River Farakka 23 18 New Farakka 23 Ballalpur 28 Sankopara Halt NH 33 33 Dhulian Ganga 36 Hausnagar 39 Basudebpur Halt 43 Nimtita 49 Sujnipara Farakka Feeder Canal 56 Ahiran Halt 63 Jangipur Road 69 Gankar Sonar Bangla Cement Factory Siding 74 STPS Siding 77 Manigram 82 Naopara Mahishasur 86 Mahipal Halt 88 Mahipal Road 92 Poradanga Gosaingram 04 96 0 Azimganj City Barala 10 98 Azimganj Junction Sagardighi 18 to Jiaganj (under construction) NH 12 102 Dahapara Dham Halt Morgram 25 104 Lalbag Court Road Lohapur 31 110 Niyalish Para Takipur 37 NH 12 Sahibganj loop 112 Khagraghat Road 118 Jibanti Nalhati Junction 44 123 Karna Subarna Sahibganj loop 130 Kanthaliya Road Sainthia Junction 81 0 Andal–Sainthia branch line Sahibganj loop Kandi 40 Chowrigacha–Sainthia new line (planned) 133 57 Chowrigacha Dwarka River 137 Kazipara Halt 140 Bazarsau 143 Miangram Dwarka River 147 Tenya 151 Malihati Talibpur Road 154 Salar 157 Jhamatpur Baharan Sahibganj loop 160 Gangatikuri Ahmadpur Junction 94 0 163 Shiblun Ahmadpur–Katwa line Sahibganj loop 167 48 Nabagram Kankurhati Halt Ajay River Bardhaman–Katwa line 171 52 Katwa Bandel–Katwa line km km
This diagram: view talk edit

Samserganj CD block has 3 ferry services and 6 originating/ terminating bus routes.^[30]

TheBarharwa-Azimganj-Katwa loop line passes through this block and there are stations at Sankopara, Dhuliyan Ganga, Basudebpur and Nimtita.^[40]

National Highway 12 (old number NH 34) passes through this block.^[41]

In 2013–14, Samserganj CD block had 85 primary schools with 23,003 students, 13 middle schools with 4,133 students, 2 high school with 4,025 students and 9 higher secondary schools with 28,907 students. Samserganj CD Block had 1 general college with 2,603 students and 391 institutions special and non-formal education with 15,450 students.^[30]

In Samserganj CD block, amongst the 24 inhabited villages, all villages have a school, 19 villages have more than 1 primary school, 13 villages have at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 8 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.^[42]

Nimtita: Nimtita Rajbari, on the bank of the Ganges, is now a dilapidated structure, a testimony of a glorious past.Satyajit Ray shot one of his great films,Jalsaghar, at Nimtita Rajbari in 1957, and then followed it up with the shooting ofDevi in 1960 andSamapti in 1961.^[43]

In 2014, Samserganj CD block had 2primary health centres, 1 central PSU medical centre and 2 private nursing homes with total 20 beds and 1 doctor (excluding private bodies). It had 33 family welfare subcentres. 64,722 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.^[30]

Samserganj CD block has Central Hospital for Beedi Workers atTarapur, PO Malancha, (with 50 beds), Anupnagar Rural Hospital atDhulian (with 30 beds), PutimariPrimary Health Centre (with 2 beds) andUttar Mahammadpur PHC (with 10 beds).^[44]

Samserganj CD block is one of the areas of Murshidabad district where ground water is affected by a high level ofarsenic contamination. TheWHO guideline for arsenic in drinking water is 10 mg/ litre, and the Indian Standard value is 50 mg/ litre. All but one of the 26 blocks of Murshidabad district have arsenic contamination above the WHO level, all but two of the blocks have arsenic concentration above the Indian Standard value and 17 blocks have arsenic concentration above 300 mg/litre. The maximum concentration in Samserganj CD block is 287 mg/litre.^[45]

Murshidabad travel guide from Wikivoyage

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