Deganga

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  ?Deganga
West Bengal • India
Map indicating the location of Deganga
Thumbnail map of India with West Bengal highlighted
Location of Deganga
Coordinates: 22°43′N 88°29′E / 22.72, 88.48
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s) North 24 Parganas
Population 276,049 (2001)
MLA Dr. Mortoza Hossain
Codes
• Pincode
• 743423
Website: north24parganas.nic.in/

Coordinates: 22°43′N 88°29′E / 22.72, 88.48 Deganga (Bengali: দেগঙ্গা) is a town with a police station, a community development block, and an assembly constituency in Barasat subdivision of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. The area with an old history in a rural setting is facing the problem of arsenic contamination of groundwater.

Contents

[edit] History

The saga of the Vidyadhari, which flows through the Deganga area, has been part of local folklore since time immemorial. The river had formed a major navigation route for earlier civilisations. In the 3rd century BC, the nearby river port of Chandraketugarh was on the banks of this river. There still are tell-tale signs of that bygone era, and efforts are on to find more evidence of a lost civilization, possibly Meryan. The source of the river is located near Haringhata in Nadia. Later it winds down through the area before meeting at Roymangal at the confluence of Sundarbans.[1][2]

[edit] Administration

Deganga is an intermediate panchayat (local self-government) under North 24 Parganas district. Village panchayats under it are – Amulia, Berachampa I & II, Chakla, Champatala, Chaurashi, Deganga I & II, Hadipur-Jikhra I & II, Kolsur, Nurnagar and Sohai-Shetpur.[3]

[edit] Land acquisition fear

Villagers in West Bengal are greatly worried about acquisition of land for industry. In March 2007, Sasthi Charan Ghosh, Block Development Officer, decided to inspect a fenced-up plot near Kalianibil in Deganga in connection with a plywood company's plans to set up a factory there. Later they were to meet to decide on the company's application. Barely had they finished the inspection when rumours spread that government officials were measuring land for acquisition. Over 1,000 villagers ambushed cars carrying the officials. Police rushed in to rescue them, but failed to stop the mob from setting ablaze two vehicles belonging to the circle inspector and zilla parishad. A number of policemen were injured.[4]

[edit] Demographics

In the 2001 census, Deganaga community development block had a population of 276,049 out of which 141,545 were males and 134,504 were females.[5]

[edit] Politics

In 2006, the Deganga assembly seat was won by Dr. Mortoza Hossain of AIFB, defeating Mafidul Haque Sahaji of AITC. Md. Yakub of FBL defeated Abdur Rouf of AITC in 2001, Idris Ali of INC in 1996, and Ashanullah of INC in 1991. A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman of MUL defeated Dr. Mortoza Hossain of FBL in 1987. Dr. Mortoza Hossain of FBL defeated A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman of MUL in 1982. A.K.M. Hassan Uzzaman of MUL defeated Md. Yakub of FBL in 1977.[6]

In 1972, M.Shaukat Ali of INC won the Deganga seat.[7] Harun Or Rashid won the seat as an independent candidate in 1971[8] and a Progressive Muslim League ticket in 1969.[9] J. Kabir of INC won in 1967.[10] Maulana Bazlur Rahaman Durgapuri of INC won in 1962.[11] In 1957, Rafiuddin Ahmed and Atul Krishna Roy, both of INC won the twin seats in Deganga (SC) constituency.[12] In the first election of independent India in 1951, the Deganga seat was won by Rafiuddin Ahmed of INC.[13]

Deganga is part of Barasat (Lok Sabha constituency).[14]

[edit] Healthcare

Deganga is one of the areas where groundwater is affected by arsenic contamination.[15] In Kolsur in Deganga area, Pal Trockner's arsenic removal technology was used at an expenditure of over Rs 30 million. Experts feel that the entire expenditure has gone waste.[16] Aqua Welfare Society, a non government organization (NGO), organized an interactive workshop on water at Kolsur High School, on 26 November 2006. The participants were informed that by 2009 the state government had planned to provide water through pipelines that would either be treated river water or water from the third aquifer (deep tubewell) that is arsenic free. However, it was also mentioned that the remote villages where it would be difficult to provide the pipelines the villagers would need to use alternate sources for their drinking water.[17]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Chatterjee, Rajib. Health of Vidyadhari a cause for concern. The Statesman, 31 October 2006. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
  2. ^ Potential tourist hubs remain in obscurity. The Statesman, 22 April 2003. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
  3. ^ Details of West Bengal till Village Panchayat Tier. Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
  4. ^ Villagers on edge, suspicious of govt officials. Times of India 19 March 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
  5. ^ Census of India 001. Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4. Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
  6. ^ Partywise comparison since 1977. 92 - Deganga Assembly Constituency, West Bengal. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
  7. ^ 84 Deganga. 1972 State Elections. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  8. ^ 84 Deganga. 1971 State Elections. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  9. ^ 84 Deganga. 1969 State Elections. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  10. ^ 84 Deganga. 1967 State Elections. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  11. ^ 81 Deganga. 1962 State Elections. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  12. ^ 176 (SC) Deganga. 1957 State Elections. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  13. ^ 136 Deganga. 1951 State Elections. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  14. ^ General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies. West Bengal. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  15. ^ Groundwater Arsenic contamination in West Bengal-India (19 years study ). Groundwater arsenic contamination status of North 24-Parganas district, one of the nine arsenic affected districts of West Bengal-India. SOES. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
  16. ^ Surojit, Mahalanobis. 'Use surface water. Stop digging'. Times of India, 27 September 2004. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
  17. ^ Report on the workshop ‘Jawl Somporkay Alochana’ held on 26th November, 2006 at Kolsur High School,. Aqua Welfare Society. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.

[edit] See also