shops in 2013-14. In 2013-14, Bhagawangola II CD block produced 1,099 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop from 473 hectares, 5,005 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 726 hectares, 700 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 417 hectares, 322 tonnes of wheat from 147 hectares, 5 tonnes of maize from 2 hectares, 90,697 tonnes of jute from 5,554 hectares and 7,303 tonnes of potatoes from 261 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds. In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Bhagawangola II CD block was 10,280 hectares, out of which 3 hectares were irrigated with tank water, 47 hectares with river lift irrigation, 280 hectares by deep tube well and 9,950 hectares by other means. Silk and handicrafts 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. 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. Beedi making has flourished in the Jangipur subdivision. Banking In 2013-14, Bhagawangola II CD block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 1 gramin bank. Backward Regions Grant Fund Murshidabad district is listed as a backward region and receives financial support from the Backward 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. Transport Bhagawangola II CD block has 3 ferry services and 3 originating/ terminating bus routes. The nearest Bhagwangola railway station is 12 km from CD Block headquarters. Education In 2013-14, Bhagawangola II CD block had 74 primary schools with 9,431 students, 13 middle schools with 1,747 students, 4 high schools with 3,942 students and 6 higher secondary schools with 12,751 students. Bhagawangola II CD block had 318 institutions for special and non-formal education with 14,821 students. In Bhagawangola II CD block, amongst the 56 inhabited villages, 2 villages did not have a school, 25 villages have more