District Profile

                                                                                                                                              

General and Physical Features:             

 

Location

 

The Hailakandi district is situated in the southernmost corner of Assam in North East India. The distance of the state capital Guwahati from the district Head Quarter is 330 KM.

 

Boundaries

 

The Hailakandi district is bounded by River Barak & Cachar district in the North & East, Mizoram State in the South & East and Karimganj district in the west. The inter state border is stretched over 76 KM in the south east.

 

                                                     

 

 

Historical background of the district

 

According to historians, the Kukies are the first inhabitant of the district of Hailakandi. Subsequently, the Bodo-Kacharies (Dimasas) entered into the plains and settled in different places scattered in the northern part of the district.

 

The name “Hailakandi” derives from the Kuke word “Halam” which means a small state and “Kundia” a Bodo-Kacahari word which means a plot of land for temporary ploughing   according to the opinions of the historians like Rajmohan Nath and others.

 

There are also some other opinions in regard to nomenclature of Hailakandi. One version  says that the area was abundant in paddy cultivation, particularly ‘shail’ peddy was more in production and was the granary of the area as a whole. For that reason it was called ‘Shailkandi’ – Kundi a Kuki word meaning a ‘a bunch’- a land of the Kukis. From this it turns into Hailakandi.

The western portion of present Hailakandi was known as Boroibari.  It was under the occupation of one Ipra Queen ‘Hail’. She was the Zamidar of the estate and from her name it became ‘Halirkandi’ & then turns into Hailkandi.

 

Hailakandi – a leaning plot of land, though it is difficult to decide which is historically correct yet according to majority opinion the combination of the derivatives of ‘Halam’ and ‘ Kundina’ was the origin.

 

History

 

In the known period of history most parts of the erstwhile state of Cachar was under Tripuri administration. Existence of Sakala Dighi near Lala  ( in the 5 km. South) is symbol of Tripuri reign. Other parts of the state were captured by the Kochs during the early medieval period and continued as a Koch province till the Dimacha occupied it. But, Hailakandi particularly its southern part remains under Tripura. According to Krishnamala it was then named as Purbakul. But Tripuries could not continue for any longer period due to constant attack by the Kukis who were dominant people in the southern part of Hailakandi and gradually they receded from their Purbakul province . The Dimasas  captured Hailakandi, at first  the northern part and then towards the end of their rule over Cachar, the southern part was also brought under their rule.  Hailakandi went under the British rule in 1830 with Silchar the other part of the state of Cachar.  The Britishers built their native club at Monacherra, Hailakandi and Polo Ground at Girin Tilla which is still in existence.

 

During 2nd world war (1942 –43) the first Airport of the valley was built at Chandrapur – Bhabanipur village near Lala & 2nd airport was built at Kanchanpur, both are now used as paddy fields.

 

Hailakandi district is land of diversity where people of different cast, tribe, creed and religion live with unity from time immemorial.

 

Date of Establishment:

 

Hailakandi was the one of the oldest Sub-division of the state which was constituted as Civil Sub-division on 1st June 1869. On 1st October 1989 it emerged as Civil District with same territorial jurisdiction of the earlier Sub-division.

 

Natural drainage (rivers & tributaries) :

 

There are 2 main river namely Dhaleswari and Katakhal which runs from south to north through the middle of the district. The river Dhaleswari originates in the Mizo hills where it is known as Thang. Originally it is used to flow along the western side of the district and fall into the river Barak near Panchgram. A former king is said to have diverted its course a little above Rongpur and the channel is now dried up for a considerable distance of about 1.5 km, after the commencement of new channel which is called ‘katakhal’ and the lower reaches of the Dhaleswari is completely cut off from the river that originates form the Mizo hills. The Katakhal river flows along the east of the valley and falls into the Barak river near Katakhal railway Junction. There are also 7 tributaries in the district.

 

The only Hawor of the district ‘bakri-hawor’ having a considerable area of 20 sq. km. & remains under floodwater almost in every season.

 

Climate

 

In summer season there is  heavy rainfall with high humidity. The average annual rainfall is 2873.078 & humidity is 85%. In winter the climate is cold and dry. The cold is intense in December, January & February. The maximum temperature is in the month of August 30’ –34’ Celsius and the minimum temperature is 6’-12’ Celsius.

 

Demography

 

As per 2001 census the total population of the district is 542978 showing the decadal growth rate is 20.93. Out of this total population 63832 (12%) are SC & 1063 (.20%) are ST.

Total rural population of the district is 501478 (92%) & urban population is 41500 (8%). Literacy percentage of the district is 59.84%. Male literacy rate is 68.47% & female literacy is 50.65%. Male female ratio is 933.

 

                             Economy

Major economic sector

Agriculture

Area under cultivation

44670 Ha (33.6%)

Under paddy cultivation

36500 Ha (82%)

Production of winter paddy

Boro Dhan (rice)

Production of summer paddy

Shail Dhan

No. Tea gardens

19

Area under tea plantation

5920 Ha (13.4%)

Production of black tea

5920 Ha (13.4%)

Major fruit products

Banana, Pineapple, Papye, Jackfruit, Guava, Coconut.

Major forest products

Bambo, Timber (Sal, Segun, sundi, Cham, Gamari) Sand.

Major Industry

Panchgram Paper Mill & Tea Processing Industry

No. of electrified villages

282

Total electricity consumption in year

10.50 MU

 

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

 

Table I.1   No. CD & Educational Blocks, GP & Villages

 

Year

No. of CD Blocks

No. of Educational Blocks

No. of census Villages

No. of GPs

No. of Towns

1991

3

3

393

62

2

2001

5

3

388

62

2

 

Population

 

The population of the district has increased from 4.49 lakhs in 1991 to 5.43 lakhs in 2001 by registering an increase of 17%.  The increase of rural population is same as the over all increase. On the other hand the increase of urban population is one percent more than the rural and over all growth. The growth of female population of the district is much lower than their male counter part. The male population has increased by 17% and the female population has increased by only 14%.

 

Table I.2  Population of the District by Area and Sex

Year

All

Rural

Urban

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

1991

232735

216313

449048

215176

199734

414910

17559

16579

34138

2001

280513

262359

542872

257985

240802

498787

22528

21557

44085

 

Table I.3 Decadal variation of population in the district (in percent)

 

Year

Variation

 

 

1901-1911

16.09

1951-1961

17.23

1911-1921

7.5

1961-1971

23.61

1921-1931

7.08

1971-1991

45.94

1931-1941

10.29

1991-2001

20.92

1941-1951

17.48

 

 

 

Table I.4  Population by Caste & Sex

 

Year

Caste Category

Population

% of Population

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

1991

SC

28154

25953

54104

12.09%

12.00%

12.00%

ST

374

341

714

0.16%

0.15%

0.33%

2001

SC

 

 

59251

 

 

 

ST

 

 

821

 

 

 

 

 

Geography

 

Location

Southern corner of Assam in the North East India

Distance from the state capital

336 kms.

Total Area

1326.10 sq. km. (132700 ha)

Major rivers

Katakhal, Dhaleswari, Another two rivers Pola &  Jita . 7  Tributaries

Total Forest Cover

74115 Ha (55.8%)

Cultivated Area

44670 Ha (33.6%0

Under Paddy Cultivation

36500 Ha (82%)

Under Tea Plantation

5920 Ha (13.4%)

 

 

 

 

 

Administration

Head quarter

Hailakandi town

No. of Sub-divisions

1 (Hailakandi)

No. of Circles/Tehsil

4

Name of Circles/Tehsils

Hailakandi, Algapur, Katlicherra & Lala

No. of CD Block

5

Name of CD Block

  1. Hailakandi Dev Block
  2. Lala Dev Block
  3. Katlicherra Dev Block
  4. Algapur Dev Block
  5. South Hailakandi Dev Block

No. of Educational Block

3

Name of Educational Block

  1. Hailakandi Edn. Block
  2. Lala Edn. Block
  3. Katlicherra Edn. Block

No. of  Towns (Urban)

2

Name of the Town

  1. Hailakandi Town
  2. Lala Town

No. of Zila Parishad

1

Name of Zila Parishad

Hailakandi Zila Parishad

No. of Police Station

4

Names of the Police Station

Hailakandi, Algapur, Katlicherra & Lala

No. of A.P.

5

Name of  A.P

Hailakandi, Algapur, katlicherra,  Lala south Hailakandi.

No. of GP

62

No. of villages

388

Major language

Bengali

No. of tea garden

18

Total PWD road length

440.747 kms.

Total road length (surface)

118.676 kms.

Earthen road

2995 kms.

Graveled road

2.995 kms

Within municipality area

18.277 kms.

Matalled road (HG road)

16 kms

KBG road

15 kms.

Major Railway Station

Katakhal, Hailakandi and Lala

Nearest Airport

Kumbhirgram (Silchar)

Health Infrastructure

Civil Hospital (100 bed)

1

CHC (30 bed)

2

PHC (Block – 6 bed)

4

PHC (New – 2 bed)

5

State Dispensary

2

Medical Sub-center

4

FW Sub-center

103

BANKS

No. of Scheduled Banks

25

No. of Semi-urban branches

8

No. of Rural branches

17

 

                                        Population

 

 

1991 census

2001 census

Total Population

449084

542872

Muslim

236098 (52%)

 

Hindu

212950 (48%)

 

Rural

414910 (92.4%)

498787

Urban

34138 (7.6%)

44085

SC

54107 (12%)

59251

ST

715

821

Density

339 per sq km

409 per sq km

Female per 1000 males

929

939

Literacy rate

53.07

59.73

Literacy rate (male)

64.08

68.35

Literacy rate (female)

41.04

50.5

 

Literacy

 

Out of the Total 542978 population 266909 are literate as per 2001 census. The overall literacy rates of the district have increased from 53.07 in 1991 to 59.84 in 2001. In terms of literacy the district stands at 16th   rank amongst the 23 districts of the state. It is lower than the state average. In terms of female literacy rates the district stands at 18th position. The literacy rates of urban population are higher than the rural population. The literacy of SCs & STs is lower than the general population as per 1991 Census.

 

Table I.5   Total Literates and Literacy Rates

 

Year

Population

Literates

Literacy Rates

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

1991

232735

216313

449048

121000

72000

193000

64.08%

41.04%

53.07%

2001

280912

252066

542978

157474

109435

266909

68.35%

50.5%

59.73%

                     

 

From the table above it can be seen that there are more illiterates (276069) than literates (266909) in the district. However, the absolute number of illiterate has considerably decreased from 63048 in 1991 to only 9160 people in 2001.

 

Though there is a huge gap (17.82%) between male and female literacy rates the gap has reduced from 23.04% in 1991 to 17.82% in 2001. Besides it is also noticeable that the female literacy rate (50.65%) of  the district is lower than the state female literacy rate.

 

 

Overall Status of Education

 

Table I.6    No. of Primary & Upper Primary Schools (Management wise)

 

Sl.

No.

 

Type of Management

 

Primary Schools

 

Middle School

 

Middle School having Primary Section

 

Pre-Senior

 

High/Higher Secondary Schools having Primary/Middle Sections

 

1

Central Government

 

 

 

 

  2

2

State Government

   1003

218

30

 

22

3

Recognised

 

   30

 

7

  6

4

Venture

     143

  19

 

 

  1

5

Privates

       26

  20

 

 

13

Total

  1172

277

30

7

46

 

84% of the primary schools are managed by the state government. Only 2% of primary schools are private while 14% are venture.  The reverse is the case for Upper Primary schools where only 3% schools are venture against 12% private schools. The share of state government (29%) in providing high/higher schools is much lower than the combined share of venture and private schools (63%).

 

Role of DIET, BRC CRC

 

There is no DIET in the district. The existing 3 (three) educational block is now converted into BRC and 62 GP is converted into 70 CRC. One District Resource Centre is functioning & in service training under SSA is undertaken by this structure. 

 

Access

 

91% of the habitations in the district are having a primary school within the state norm of 1 KM range. 7% of the habitations are having a school beyond 1.5 KM.  Regarding the availability of Upper Primary  School Facilities, 89% of the habitations are having an Upper Primary School within 3 KM.  The children of the 4% of the habitations have to go beyond 5 KM for reaching to an Upper Primary schools.

 

Table I.7    Availability of Primary Schools

 

Name of Block

Number of Habitations having a Primary Schools

Within 1 KM

Between 1-1.4 KM

1.5 KM

More than 1.5 KM

Katlicherra

325

0

5

58

Lala

435

0

7

43

Hailakandi

482

3

17

22

Total

1242

3

29

123

 

 

 

Table I.8    Availability of Upper Primary Schools

 

Name of Block

Number of Habitations having an Upper Primary Schools

Within

 3 KM

Between

1-4 KM

More than 5 KM

Katlicherra

248

26

21

Lala

404

41

19

Hailakndi

383

22

2

Total

1035

89

42

 

 

 

Table I.9  Data on GER/NER

 

 

District

Children of 4-8 age group

 

Children of 9-11 age group

GER

NER

Overall Repetation

GER

NER

Overall Repetation

Hailakandi

 

116

96

0.01

60

36

5.2

                                       Source:DISE 2004

 

 

Table I.10    Status of Peoples’ Committees in the District

 

BLOCK

 

VEC

 

TGEC

 

WEC

 

Hailakandi

137

10

10

Lala

83

14

4

Katlicherra

132

12

0

Total

352

36

14