Journal of Global Resources
Volume 6 (01)August 2019-January 2020
Page 122-128
UGC–CARE Listed Journal in Group D
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

19
BLOCK-WISE DISPARITIES IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITION OF KOCH BIHAR
DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL
Sangita Karmakar1, Bhupen Barman2 and Ranjan Roy3
1
Research Scholar & 3Professor,
Department of Geography & Applied Geography, North Bengal University, Siliguri, (WB), India
Email: sang.tfg@gmail.com, royranjangeo@gmail.com
2
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Geography, Tufanganj Mahavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, (WB), India
Email: bhugeo18@nbu.ac.in
Abstract: The present study attempts to the socio-economic condition and also to assess thepattern of disparities in socio-economic condition at the block level in Koch Bihar district ofWest Bengal. Out of the total population the rural population is approximately 89.70 percent in
the district (Census of India, 2011). The present study focuses on the block level social andeconomic condition in Koch Bihar district applying the composite score method based on 21
selected demographic, infrastructural and economic development indicators. The level ofdevelopment assessed separately for, demographic, infrastructural and economic sectors .The
blocks are classified into three development categories according to the value of theconstructed composite score. An attempt has been made to compare the levels of socioeconomic development among different blocks of district through thematic maps. The study
reveals that the wide disparities in the level of socio economic condition exist among different
blocks. The study suggests that low developed blocks require improvement in most of theindicators for enhancing their level of overall socio economic development. It is necessary forthe government to move in the direction and rhythm with the society because their sustainability
is dependent on the long term benefits derived from the economic and social issues connected
to rural basics.
Key words: Disparities, Composite Score, Correlation, Socio-Economic Condition
Introduction
For the betterment of large human groups both economic and social development is verymuch important. Development means improving the wellbeing of the human being.
Development must be evaluated in terms of progressive reduction and elimination of
malnutrition, disease, illiteracy, unemployment and inequalities (Thakur, 2008). In the words of
Dudly (1972), “If poverty, unemployment and inequality have declined from the high levels thanbeyond doubt this has been a period of development for the country concerned”. Regional
disparity means the spatial differences in socio economic development of certain region which
reveals the condition of such area as well as the reason behind these differences Economic
development is one of the major key components for bringing changes in the overall socioeconomic development of the people and it also promotes the better standard of living in longterm. Regional imbalances in a country may be natural due to unequal distribution of naturaland man-made in the sense of neglect or preference of region for investment and infrastructural
facilities. In India, still there exist imbalances in every region in respect of socio economic
development .The study will help to identify the blocks in Koch Bihar district suffering frombackwardness and will be helpful for the policy maker for taking decisions regarding the
problem of backwardness.
Objectives
The presents study aims to investigate the following objectives.
1. To assess the socio economic condition of the blocks and to identify the backward
blocks of the district.
2. To study the overall factors responsible for spatial disparities in the socio-economic
condition.
122

Literature Review
Pal (1965) made a more systematic attempt in the construction of a composite index of
selected variables which permit several stages of analysis in relation to the group of variables
to analyse overall development, with a study of all India Level, it may be regarded essentiallyas a contribution to methodology in areal differentiation by factor analysis. To be of use, in
policy decision, these studies need to incorporate some of the important factors like per capita
income and production which are directly related to the levels of development. Banerjee (1984)
in his article “changing cultural scenario and economic development of India” mainly
emphasizes the efforts to achieve economic development. India is facing the problems of
massive population growth, rapid depletion of resources, growing disparities between the urban
and rural areas as well as regional and social disparities within the country. Dimensions ofthese problems and their impact on the cultural scenario are important. Banerjee (1992) 49 in
his article “Disparities in Development of Socio-economic Infrastructure in rural areas of
selected district of Uttar Pradesh”, says that diversity in the Sectoral development of different
blocks is the main factor responsible for the disparity in the overall development in rural areas.
In the project Report sponsored by Planning Commission, Govt. of India, New Delhi, V.K.Bhatia and S.C. Rai (2003-04) discussed that the overall socio-economic development is
positively associated with the agricultural development, infrastructural facilities and literacy rate.
Infrastructural facilities are found to enhance the level of literacy in the block areas. Socioeconomic development is closely associated with the literacy rate. In order to reduce thedisparities in development among different blocks, model blocks have been identified andpotential targets of developmental indicators have been estimated for low developed blocks.
Low developed blocks require improvements of various dimensions in different indicators forenhancing the level of development. The location specific technology of agriculturaldevelopment should be adopted and proper utilization of infrastructural facilities and resources
should be made.
Data and Methodology
The study is based on secondary data from various sources particularly from District census
Hand book (2011). The composite score method has been used to analyse the spatial variation
in socio-economic condition of the district. Keeping in view the existing socio economic
condition of the district 21 indicators have been selected and grouped into three categories i.e.
demographic, infrastructural and economic.
1. Demographic indicatora.
Population density (X1),b.
Sex ratio (X2)c.
Child Sex Ratio (X3)d.
Percentage of SC population (X4)e.
Percentage of ST population (X5)f.
Total literacy rate (X6)g.
Percentage of male literacy (X7)h.
Percentage of female literacy (X8)i.
Gender gap in literacy (X9)
2. Infrastructural indicatora.
Percentage of educational institution (X10)b.
Power supply (X11)c.
Doctor population ratio (X12)d.
No. of medical institution per 100000 persons(X13)e.
No. of bed per 1000 persons.(X14)f.
Length of roads in km (X15)
3. Economic indicatorsa.
Total worker (X16)b.
Percentage of female worker (X17)c.
Percentage of agriculture worker (X18)d.
Bank facilities (X19)e.
Total irrigated land (X20)f.
Percentage of cultivable area to total area.(X21)123Composite Score Method
By using these data and indicators an attempt has been made to examine the existing conditionof different blocks of Koch Bihar district. Z score has been used to analyse the spatial variationof socio- economic condition.

Where, Zi is the computed Z-score x̄ is the mean and S is the standard deviation (SD).
For categorising the blocks mean and SD value has been calculated. Then SD is divided by 2
and Half of SD is added with mean value to form ‘high’ category and half of SD is subtracted
from mean to form ‘low’ category and rest values lying between high and low category comesunder ‘medium’ category. Finally, correlation matrix has been shown to show the relationshipbetween demographic, infrastructural and economic with each other and with overall
development. The composite score of demographic, infrastructural and economic indicatorspresent overall scenario of Koch Bihar district. The blocks have been classified into threegroups based on these computed values.
Study Area
Koch Bihar is a district of West Bengal in the foothills of Himalaya. Koch Bihar lies in the North
Eastern part of West Bengal, bounded by the district of Alipurduar in the North, Jalpaiguri in the
North- West, State of Assam in the East and International border in the form of IndoBangladesh boundary in the South-West, South and South-East. It lies between 25˚57’47” Nand 26˚36’20” N and 88˚47’44” E to 89˚54’35”E with the total area of 3387 square kilometres
having population of 2819086 with the density of 832 persons per square kilometres as per2011 census. The district comprises 12 blocks namely Haldibari, Mekhligang, Mathabhanga I,
Mathabhanga II, Koch Bihar I, KochBihar II, Tufanganj I, Tufanganj II, Dinhata I, Dinhata II, Sitai
and Sitalkuchi. The areas mainly based on agricultural activities.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Level 0f Demographic Condition
Table 01: Z Score Values of Demographic Indicators
Name of theBlocks

X2

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

X8

X9

Composite
score

Levels

X1

Haldibari

-0.53

1.37

0.85

0.51

-0.57

-0.68

-0.71

-0.63

0.04

-0.039Moderate

Mekhliganj

-1.82

-0.29

-1.54

1.59

0.89

-0.73

-0.49

-0.96

1.87

-0.164Low

Mathabhanga I

-0.53

-0.20

-0.31

1.21

-0.94

-0.15

0.07

-0.37

1.55

0.039

Moderate

Mathabhanga II

-0.17

-0.06

-0.85

0.86

0.98

0.12

0.22

0.03

0.58

0.189

High

KochBihar I

0.59

-0.29

-0.62

-1.23

-0.43

0.76

0.71

0.81

-0.68

-0.043Moderate

KochBihar II

0.22

-1.98

1.23

-0.69

0.67

1.93

1.82

1.97

-1.34

0.426

High

Tufanganj I

0.12

-0.42

-0.77

-0.90

-0.80

0.34

0.30

0.37

-0.37

-0.236Low

Tufanganj II

-0.52

-0.18

0.77

-0.08

2.31

0.79

0.86

0.71

0.12

0.531

High

Dinhata I

1.83

-0.19

-0.08

-1.05

-0.40

0.20

0.02

0.37

-1.23

-0.058Moderate

Dinhata II

1.65

-0.91

-1.08

-1.09

-0.25

0.04

-0.11

0.15

-0.85

-0.272

Low

Sitai

-0.51

1.51

1.31

0.96

-0.74

-2.17

-2.33

-2.00

-0.11

-0.453Low

Sitalkuchi

-0.36

1.30

1.08

-0.10

-0.81

-0.42

-0.37

-0.44

0.40

0.029

Moderate

Source: Compiled by author

The demographic composition of any region has a close bearing to the level ofdevelopment. Population density, sax ratio, child sex ratio, total literacy, male literacy, female
literacy , percentage share of SC and ST population ,Gender gap in literacy those 9 (X1 to X9)
are considered as demographic indicators and computed by composite score. The pattern of
spatial distribution shows the inter block disparities in terms of demographic characteristic(figure 1).
Less Developed Region: This region consists of 4 blocks namely Tufanganj I, Dinhata II and
Sitai, Mekhliganj having least composite score(< -0.145) in terms of demographic indicators.These blocks are suffering from backwardness and having a unfavourable condition of density,
sex ratio, literacy rate etc.
124Moderate Developed Region: The blocks having the composite value between -0.145 to
0.137 are considered as moderate developed regions consisting 5 blocks namely Haldibari,Mathabhanga I, KochBihar I, Dinhata I and Sitalkuchi.
High Developed Region: The high developed region consists of 3 blocks namely
Mathabhanga II, Koch Bihar II, and Tufanganj II. These are due to reason of that Koch Bihar II
is the head quarter of the district. These three blocks are having favourable male female ratio,
population density and SC & ST population literacy rate etc.
Level of Infrastructural Condition: Infrastructural disparities (figure 2) have many causes
ranging from historical to present status in health, education and other such amenities (Ram,1995). Based on the composite score of 6 indicators the blocks are grouped into three
categories in order to explain the present inter block level disparities.
Table 02: Z Score Values for Infrastructural Indicators
Name of theBlocksHaldibari
Mekhliganj
Mathabhanga I
Mathabhanga II
KochBihar I
KochBihar II
Tufanganj I
Tufanganj II
Dinhata I
Dinhata II
Sitai
Sitalkuchi

(X10)

(X11)

-1.39
-0.58
-0.23
0.47
1.69
1.24
0.06
-0.21
0.79
0.48
-1.64
-0.68

-1.16
0.90
-0.27
0.45
2.11
-0.06
-0.64
-0.88
1.19
0.02
-1.10
-0.57

(X12)
-0.70
-0.84
-0.87
0.54
-1.10
0.08
-0.83
1.12
-0.84
1.86
0.48
1.10

(X13)
2.14
-0.07
-1.47
-1.34
0.17
-0.07
1.11
0.43
0.27
-0.94
0.00
-0.23

(X14)
0.06
0.43
0.22
-0.80
2.70
-0.12
0.14
-0.84
0.53
-0.79
-0.69
-0.83

(X15)
-1.32
-0.53
-0.62
-0.12
2.08
0.91
-0.03
1.32
-0.42
0.09
-1.21
-0.15

Composite
Score
-0.40
-0.11
-0.54
-0.13
1.27
0.33
-0.03
0.16
0.25
0.12
-0.69
-0.23

LevelsLow
Moderate
Low
Moderate
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
ModerateLow
moderate

Source: Compiled by author

Less Developed Region: Haldibari, Sitai and Mthabhanga I fall under this group having theleast value i.e. <-0.255. These blocks are less developed due to less number of educational
institutions, power supply, having unfavourable doctor population ratio, number of medical
institution etc.
Moderate Developed Region: The category having range score of -0.254-0.254 which
includes 7 blocks namely Mekhliganj, Sitalkuchi, Mathabhanga II, Dinhata I, Dinhata II,
Tufanganj I, Tufanganj II, Koch Bihar II. The blocks have moderate number of amenities which
resulted in order moderate state of development.
High Developed Region: only Koch Bihar I and Koch Bihar II blocks come under this category
due to it is the district head quarter having adequate number of schools, health centres, power
supply etc.
Level of Economic Condition:
The blocks are also divided into less economic development based on the computed scoreconsidering such indicators (figure 3).
Table 03: Z-Score Values for Economic Indicators
Name of theblocks
X16
Haldibari-1.135
Mekhliganj
0.270
Mathabhanga I
1.746
Mathabhanga II-0.377
Koch Bihar I
0.336
Koch Bihar II-1.217
Tufanganj I-0.082
Tufanganj II-0.316Dinhata I-0.373Dinhata II-0.406
Sitai
2.045
Sitalkuchi-0.471
Source: Compiled by author

X17-0.8070.459
1.628-0.3380.288-1.388-0.367-0.363-0.474-0.857
2.025
0.193

X18
-1.0872.641
0.311-1.087-0.1550.311-0.6210.311
0.311-0.621-0.621
0.311

X19
1.859
-0.8240.904-0.355-1.059-1.2591.579
0.140-0.3800.306-0.296-0.613

125

X20
0.760
-0.372-0.555-2.582
0.591
0.377
0.341
-0.980
0.883
0.239
0.828
0.469

X21
2.295
-0.5871.258-1.462
0.349
0.078
0.594
-0.392-0.185-1.225-0.017-0.706composite
score
0.314
0.265
0.882
-1.0340.058-0.5160.241-0.267-0.036-0.4270.661-0.136

Levels
High
High
High
Low
Moderate
Low
Moderate
Low
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate

Less Developed Region: Blocks namely Mathabhanga II, Koch Bihar II, Dinhata II, Tufanganj
II are less developed having the least score <-0.264. The low development is due to low
percentage of net shown area, lack of irrigation, in adequacy of worker, having no bankfacilities etc.
Moderate Developed Region: The zone comprises 4 blocks namely Sitalkuchi, Koch Bihar I,
Dinhata I, Tufanganj I. These blocks have moderate level in terms of net shown area, total
irrigated land, adequate worker. All these indicators helped these blocks to figure in moderate
developed region in terms of economy.
High Developed Region: Haldibari, Mekhliganj, Mathabhangal, Sitai These blocks are having
adequate level of net shown area, irritated land worker and all these have placed the blocks inhighly developed region. (>0.264).
Figure-1

Figure-2

Figure-3

Figure-4

Overall Socio-Economic Condition
The analysis of sectoral development brought out the fact that by itself each block does nothave the same level of infrastructural, economic and demographic condition. Some blocks may
have high level of infrastructural development whereas the other have well places indemographic or economic terms, while overall socio economic condition may show different
result. These indicators have to be further analysed whether there are any connection among
them and resulting a different pattern of overall socio economic condition (figure 4).
Less Developed Region: The blocks having the value of <-0.093 are considered as lessdeveloped regions, There are 3 blocks namely Mathabhanga II, Dinhata II, Sitai. These 3
blocks are most backward blocks due to low development categories mainly due to lack ofirrigation, lack of net shown area, unfavourable sex ration, population density, low level ofliteracy, educational institution etc. These are the least developed blocks of districts in terms ofoverall socio economic development.
Moderate Developed Region: 5 blocks fall under this group ranging the score -0.092-0.088
blocks are mainly Haldibari, Mekhliganj, Dinhata I, Tufanganj II, and Sitalkuchi. The moderate126presence of all infrastructural, economic and demographic indicators has placed these blocks inmoderate developed region.
High Developed Region: On the basis of aggregate score, the highly developed region
consists of 3 blocks namely Mathabhanga I, Koch Bihar I, Koch Bihar II, and Tufanganj II.
These blocks are having prominent sex-ratio, population density, literacy rate, good number ofeducational intuition, health centres, net shown area, irrigation, power supply etc. All thesehave made the blocks highly developed region in terms of overall socio economic development.
The blocks that are highly developed in terms of economic and demographic factors also show
significant growth and development in terms of land use and agricultural efficiency.
Table 04: Composite Score for Various Sectors
Name of the Blocks

Demographic
SectorHaldibari-0.039
Mekhliganj-0.164
Mathabhanga I
0.039
Mathabhanga II
0.189
Koch Bihar I-0.043
Koch Bihar II
0.426
Tufanganj I-0.236
Tufanganj II
0.531
Dinhata I-0.058Dinhata II-0.272
Sitai-0.453
Sitalkuchi
0.029
Source: Compiled by author

Infrastructural
Sector
-0.397-0.113-0.542-0.1341.274
0.332-0.030
0.157
0.253
0.121
-0.695-0.227

Economic
Sector
0.314
0.265
0.882
-1.0340.058-0.5160.241-0.267-0.036-0.4270.661-0.136Overall Socio-Economic
Development-0.040-0.0270.114-0.2530.362
0.130-0.041
0.196
0.037-0.204-0.204-0.091

Table 05: Level of Overall Socio-Economic Condition
Level of development
High (>0.089)
Moderate (-0.093-0.089)
Low (<-0.093)

Name of the blocks
Mathabhanga I, KochBihar I, KochBihar II, Tufanganj II
Haldibari, Mekhliganj, Dinhata I, Tufanganj II, Sitalkuchi
Mathabhanga II, Dinhata II, Sitai

Correlation among Major Developmental Variables
Correlation matrix indicates that demographic, infrastructural, economic and overall socioeconomic developments are positively and significantly correlated with each other.
Table 06: Correlation Matrix
Category
Demographic
Infrastructural
Economic
Overall development
Demographic
1
Infrastructural
0.270
1.000
Economic-0.505*-0.383
1.000
Overall development
0.463
0.665**
0.188
1
Source: Compiled by author*Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level.
** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level.

Demographic and economic condition is positively associated with over all
development (0.463) and (0.118). But economic condition is negatively correlated with both
demographic and infrastructural development. This is mainly due to the infrastructural facilities
are concentrated in certain areas where net shown area , cultivable land, working population
sex ratio, literacy rate etc. are not equally concentrated. Infrastructural condition is also
positively associated with over all development (0.665) at 0.01 significant levels.
Conclusion
The analysis reveals that there exist wide regional disparities in sectoral and spatial
development in the district. Diversity in the Sectoral development of different blocks is the main
factor responsible for the disparity in the overall development in the district. It also reveals that
Mathabhanga II, Dinhata II, and Sitai these 3 blocks are most backward blocks of the district
where as Mathabhanga I, KochBihar I, Koch Bihar II, and Tufanganj II are high developed
regions in terms of overall socio economic condition. Therefore, it is important to say that127

Government should look into the faster and proper development of each sector at grass rootlevel for the moderate and low developed blocks.
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