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Block (district subdivision)
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A block is an administrative division of some South Asian countries.
Bhutan
[edit]In Bhutan, a block is called a gewog. It is essentially for oil a group of villages. Gewogs are official administrative units of Bhutan. The country is composed of 205 gewogs.
Each gewog is headed by a gup or headman.
India
[edit]
A block is a district sub-division for the purpose of rural development department and Panchayati Raj institutes. Cities have similar arrangements under the Urban Development department. Tehsils (also called talukas) are common across urban and rural areas for the administration of land and revenue department to keep track of land ownership and levy the land tax.
For planning purpose, a district is divided into four levels:
- Tehsils
- Blocks
- Gram panchayats
- Villages
A tehsil may consist of one or more blocks. Blocks are usually planning and development units of a district in addition to tehsils. A block represents a compact area for which effective plans are prepared and implemented through gram panchayats.
For example, Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh has nine blocks: Muzaffarnagar, Budhana, Baghra, Shahpur, Purquazi, Charthawal, Morna, Jansath, and Khatauli.[1]
Block development officer
[edit]The block development officer is the official in charge of a block. The officer monitors the implementation of all programmes relating to planning and development of the blocks. Coordination of development and implementation of plans in all blocks of a district is provided by a chief development officer (CDO). The BDO's office is the main operational wing of the government for the development administration as well as regulatory administration. A CD Block consists several gram panchayats in its limits. In some states the BDO functions as the secretary of the concerned Panchayat Samiti/Block Panchayat.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Welcome to the official Website of the District Administration of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh (India)". Muzaffarnagar.nic.in. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
Block (district subdivision)
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Definition and Scope
A block, in the context of district subdivisions, denotes a rural administrative unit below the district level, primarily employed in India and Bhutan for coordinating development and governance activities. In India, it is formally designated as a community development block (CD block), serving as the foundational tier for implementing rural development initiatives under the Panchayati Raj framework. This structure emerged to enable targeted planning and resource allocation for clusters of villages, distinct from urban or revenue-based subdivisions like tehsils.[6][7] The scope of an Indian CD block is confined to rural territories, typically encompassing 50 to 150 villages with populations ranging from 80,000 to 120,000, though variations occur based on regional densities and terrain. It functions as the operational domain for schemes in agriculture, sanitation, education, and infrastructure, overseen by a panchayat samiti and excluding urban municipal bodies. This delineation ensures focused intervention in non-urban areas, where over 60% of India's population resides, promoting decentralized execution of national programs without overlapping revenue jurisdictions.[8][9] In Bhutan, blocks correspond to gewogs, the primary rural subdivisions of dzongkhags (districts), numbering 205 nationwide as of recent administrative mappings. Gewogs handle local resource management, community services, and development projects at the village cluster level, with boundaries derived from topographic surveys to facilitate precise governance. Their scope mirrors India's blocks in emphasizing rural self-reliance, integrating traditional village groups (chiwogs) for bottom-up decision-making within the national decentralization policy.[10][11]Administrative Role
In India and Bhutan, a block functions as a key sub-district administrative unit designed to decentralize governance and drive rural development by bridging district-level policies with village-level execution. This structure enables localized planning, resource allocation, and oversight of developmental schemes, ensuring administration is responsive to grassroots needs while maintaining hierarchical accountability to district authorities.[3] In India, the block—commonly referred to as a community development block—is headed by the Block Development Officer (BDO), who serves as the chief executive responsible for implementing central and state government programs in rural areas, including poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and agricultural extension services. The BDO coordinates with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the block level, such as the Panchayat Samiti, to facilitate participatory planning and monitors the execution of initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and watershed management projects. Additionally, the BDO manages land records for gaon sabha properties, supervises encroachment prevention, and supports welfare activities, thereby acting as a pivotal link in the district's administrative chain to promote equitable resource distribution and community empowerment.[12][13][14] In Bhutan, blocks are equivalent to gewogs, the smallest rural administrative divisions, each governed by an elected Gup (head) and supported by a Gewog Administrative Officer (GAO) who handles executive functions under the oversight of the dzongkhag (district). The Gewog Tshogde, a local committee comprising elected representatives, deliberates on development priorities, approves budgets, and ensures service delivery in areas such as health, education, and environmental conservation, fostering community-driven governance aligned with national policies like Gross National Happiness. The GAO supervises extension staff, maintains accounts, and reports irregularities to district officials, emphasizing transparency, capacity building, and integration of traditional practices with modern administrative duties to sustain local resilience and cultural integrity.[15][16]Historical Development
Origins and Establishment in India
The community development block, or simply block, emerged in India as a specialized rural administrative subdivision designed to facilitate coordinated development efforts following independence. This structure was established through the Community Development Programme (CDP), launched on October 2, 1952, by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to promote integrated rural progress in agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure. The programme addressed the fragmented nature of pre-existing revenue divisions like tehsils by creating blocks as functional units for extension services and planning, each typically covering 80 to 100 villages and a population of 60,000 to 70,000 residents.[17][1] The CDP's inception built on recommendations from the Grow More Food Enquiry Committee, which in 1952 advocated for organized blocks to enhance food production and rural welfare amid post-partition challenges, including food shortages and uneven agricultural yields. Initial implementation involved 55 pilot projects spanning 27,388 villages and about 16 million people, with blocks serving as the core operational hubs under the oversight of Block Development Officers (BDOs). These officers, drawn from administrative services, were tasked with mobilizing local resources and implementing centrally sponsored schemes, marking a shift toward participatory development models.[18][19] By the mid-1950s, the block system expanded under the National Extension Service (launched in 1953 as a preparatory phase), covering an additional 200 projects and integrating with subsequent five-year plans. This establishment laid the groundwork for block-level governance, which later aligned with Panchayati Raj reforms via the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957), though the developmental focus remained distinct from revenue administration. Evaluations, such as the 1957 Team of the Programme Evaluation Organisation, noted early implementation hurdles like inadequate staffing but affirmed the block's role in fostering self-reliance in rural economies.[20][18]Evolution in Bhutan
In Bhutan, the block system, locally termed gewog, represents the primary rural subdivision below the district (dzongkhag) level, functioning as a cluster of villages for administrative, developmental, and electoral purposes. Gewogs trace their origins to traditional village groupings under the dual system of governance established by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century, which integrated secular and religious administration but remained largely centralized under monastic and royal authority until the mid-20th century.[21] Formal evolution toward decentralized block-level structures accelerated with Bhutan's adoption of Five-Year Plans starting in 1961, shifting from ad hoc feudal management to planned rural development, though initial implementation stayed under central control from Thimphu.[22] Decentralization gained momentum in 1981 with the creation of Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu (DYT), district-level assemblies that devolved planning authority from the central government to the then-18 dzongkhags, enabling localized resource allocation for infrastructure and agriculture.[23] This laid groundwork for sub-district units, as gewogs—numbering around 200 by the late 1980s—began handling basic service delivery like irrigation and health outposts, though without elected bodies. By 1991, during the Eighth Five-Year Plan, Gewog Yargay Tshogchung (GYT) were established across all gewogs, introducing block development committees comprising a head (gup), deputy (mangmi), and village representatives (tshogpa), tasked with formulating and executing micro-plans for poverty alleviation and community projects.[23] [22] This marked a causal shift toward bottom-up governance, reducing bureaucratic delays in rural areas comprising over 70% of Bhutan's population, though executive powers remained with appointed officials until further reforms.[24] The 2002 Gewog Yargay Tshogchung Act expanded GYT mandates, incorporating participatory budgeting and oversight of natural resource management, aligning with Gross National Happiness principles emphasizing equitable rural growth. Subsequent expansions included adding two dzongkhags (Gasa and Trashiyangtsé) in 1992, which introduced additional gewogs, bringing the total to 205 by 2008.[25] The Constitution of 2008 enshrined gewogs as integral to dzongkhags, mandating their role in local legislation.[26] Culminating in the Local Government Act of 2009, which operationalized elective Gewog Tshogde as the highest decision-making bodies in each block, devolving fiscal powers like tax collection and service provision while integrating them with dungkhags (sub-districts) in 10 dzongkhags for hybrid oversight.[27] This act addressed prior inefficiencies, such as uneven capacity in remote gewogs, by standardizing structures and enabling direct elections in 2011, though challenges persist in fiscal autonomy due to central dependencies.[28] Post-2009 refinements included 2011 reorganizations merging or bifurcating 11 gewogs to optimize administrative viability based on population and geography, reducing the count slightly from 211 while enhancing service equity.[29] Gewogs now average 230 km², subdivided into chiwogs for finer electoral units, supporting functions like veterinary extension and disaster response, with empirical data showing improved rural literacy and electrification rates post-decentralization. This evolution reflects pragmatic adaptation to Bhutan's rugged terrain and sparse demographics, prioritizing causal efficacy in development over uniform centralization, distinct from India's community development block model by embedding cultural custodianship roles.[28]Implementation in India
Structure and Hierarchy
In India's rural administrative framework, the block, or Community Development Block (CDB), operates as a sub-district subdivision dedicated to coordinated rural development and governance. Established as part of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, the block level bridges the district and village tiers, enabling decentralized planning and implementation of government schemes.[30] Each district typically comprises multiple blocks—ranging from 5 to 20 or more depending on population and geography—with over 6,400 such blocks nationwide as of 2021, covering approximately 97% of rural India.[31] The hierarchical structure positions the block beneath the district's Zilla Parishad (district panchayat) and above the Gram Panchayats (village councils). The Panchayat Samiti serves as the elected deliberative body at the block level, comprising representatives elected from Gram Panchayats, Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislative Assemblies representing the block, and associate members such as cooperative society heads. This body approves development plans, allocates resources, and supervises execution across 50–150 Gram Panchayats per block, which collectively manage local affairs for populations of 80,000 to 120,000 on average.[2][32] Administratively, the Block Development Officer (BDO), appointed by the state government, acts as the executive head, overseeing departments like agriculture, health, education, and public works within the block. The BDO reports to the District Magistrate or Collector and ensures alignment with district-level directives while facilitating bottom-up inputs from Gram Panchayats. This setup promotes functional coordination, with block-level committees handling specific sectors, such as education or sanitation, to address localized needs efficiently.[33] Variations exist across states; for instance, in Assam, the intermediate tier is termed Anchalik Panchayat instead of Panchayat Samiti, but the hierarchical essence remains consistent with national guidelines. Blocks exclude urban areas, which fall under municipal bodies, ensuring specialized focus on agrarian and rural challenges.[34]Block Development Officer
The Block Development Officer (BDO) functions as the chief executive and administrative head of the Panchayat Samiti, the intermediate tier of India's Panchayati Raj institutions at the block level. Appointed by the state government, typically through recruitment via state public service commissions or departmental promotions, the BDO acts as the ex-officio executive officer tasked with implementing the Samiti's resolutions, development plans, and government schemes.[13][35] This role ensures coordination between gram panchayats and district-level authorities, with the BDO reporting to the District Collector or equivalent rural development head. Key responsibilities include supervising the execution of rural development programs, such as antipoverty initiatives under schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), infrastructure works, and welfare services in agriculture, health, education, and sanitation. The BDO oversees extension officers from line departments, maintains block-level accounts, prepares annual plans and budgets, monitors scheme implementation, and ensures staff performance aligns with targets. Additional duties encompass land protection for gram sabhas, disaster management reporting to sub-divisional officers, and convening meetings for Gram Sabha decisions on development priorities.[36][37][38] Eligibility for the position generally requires Indian citizenship, a bachelor's degree from a recognized university, and an age range of 21 to 32 years, with relaxations for reserved categories as per state rules; selection involves preliminary, mains, and interview stages in competitive examinations. The BDO exercises financial powers as the drawing and disbursing officer for block staff and manages grants allocated to the Panchayat Samiti, emphasizing efficient resource utilization to foster decentralized rural governance.[39][40]Functions in Rural Governance and Development
The Panchayat Samiti, functioning at the block level as the primary institutional mechanism for rural governance, coordinates and executes development initiatives to address local needs in agriculture, infrastructure, and social services.[41] Block-level bodies prepare comprehensive development plans that integrate economic priorities, such as promoting small-scale industries and rural cooperatives, with social justice objectives, including targeted welfare for marginalized communities.[41] The Block Development Officer (BDO), serving as the executive head, ensures administrative coordination across departments to implement these plans efficiently.[13] Key functions encompass the supervision and execution of sector-specific schemes. In agriculture and allied sectors, blocks oversee programs for crop improvement, animal husbandry, fisheries, and social forestry, allocating resources to enhance productivity and livelihoods.[41] Public health initiatives include vaccination drives, sanitation facilities, and drinking water supply management, while education efforts involve maintaining rural schools and promoting literacy.[42] Infrastructure development covers road maintenance, irrigation systems, and public assets like community halls, directly supporting rural connectivity and economic activity.[41] Blocks also play a pivotal role in poverty alleviation and employment generation through schemes like those under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), ensuring wage employment and asset creation in villages.[13] Financial management involves preparing annual budgets, collecting local revenues such as taxes and fees, and disbursing funds transparently, with mandatory audits to prevent mismanagement.[41] Supervision of Gram Panchayats ensures alignment with block-level policies, fostering decentralized decision-making while maintaining oversight on scheme implementation.[43]- Economic Development: Promotion of rural industries, cooperatives, and market linkages to boost local economies.[41]
- Social Welfare: Distribution of essential commodities via public systems and support for vulnerable groups through targeted programs.[41]
- Community Engagement: Encouraging participatory planning to identify priorities and resolve local disputes, enhancing governance legitimacy.[41]
