literate persons in Bengabad CD block was 73,041 (59.39% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 46,618 (73.51% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 26,423 (44.26% of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 29.25%. census, literacy in Giridih district was 63.14% Literacy in Jharkhand was 66.41% in 2011. Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%. See also – List of Jharkhand districts ranked by literacy rate Language and religion Khortha is the main spoken language. Hindi is the official language. Urdu and Santali are also spoken. Rural poverty 40-50% of the population of Giridih district were in the BPL category in 2004–2005, being in the same category as Godda, Koderma and Hazaribagh districts. Rural poverty in Jharkhand declined from 66% in 1993–94 to 46% in 2004–05. In 2011, it has come down to 39.1%. Economy Livelihood In Bengabad CD block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 35,557 and formed 42.67%, agricultural labourers numbered 19,273 and formed 23.13%, household industry workers numbered 4,255 and formed 5.11% and other workers numbered 24,253 and formed 29.10%. Total workers numbered 83,338 and formed 54.40% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 69,860 and formed 45.60% of the population. Note: In the census records a person is considered a cultivator, if the person is engaged in cultivation/ supervision of land owned. When a person who works on another person's land for wages in cash or kind or share, is regarded as an agricultural labourer. Household industry is defined as an industry conducted by one or more members of the family within the household or village, and one that does not qualify for registration as a factory under the Factories Act. Other workers are persons engaged in some economic activity other than cultivators, agricultural labourers and household workers. It includes factory, mining, plantation, transport and office workers, those engaged in business and commerce, teachers, entertainment artistes and so on. Infrastructure There are 231 inhabited villages in Bengabad CD block. In 2011, 118 villages had power supply. 3 villages had tap water (treated/ untreated), 223 villages had well water (covered/ uncovered), 227 villages had hand pumps, and all villages had drinking water facility. 21 villages had post offices, 13 villages had a sub post office, 9 villages had telephones (land lines) and 149