media about the Hindi speaking population being substantial in the Asansol (Lok Sabha constituency). Bardhaman district provided attractive livelihood opportunities for immigrants from Bihar/ Jharkhand. According to the West Bengal Official Language Act 1961 and the West Bengal Official Language (Amendment Act) 2012, the Bengali language is to be used for official purposes in the whole of West Bengal. In addition to Bengali, the Nepali language is to be used for official purposes in the three hills subdivisions, namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, in the district of Darjeeling, and Urdu is to be used for official purposes in district/subdivision/ block/ municipality where the population speaking Urdu exceeds 10% of the total population. The English language will continue to be used for official purposes as it was being used prior to the enactment of these laws. The West Bengal Official Language (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012, included Hindi, Santhali, Odiya and Punjabi as official languages if it is spoken by a population exceeding 10 per cent of the whole in a particular block or sub-division or a district. Subsequently, Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi and Kurmali were also included in the list of minority languages by the West Bengal Official Language (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018. However, as of 2019, there is no official / other reliable information about the areas covered. In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 98,921 and formed 85.33% of the population in Durgapur Faridpur CD Block. Muslims numbered 16,105 and formed 13.89% of the population. Christians numbered 179 and formed 0.15% of the population. Others numbered 719 and formed 0.62% of the population. Rural poverty As per poverty estimates obtained from household survey for families living below poverty line in 2005, rural poverty in Durgapur Faridpur CD Block was 28.84%. Economy Livelihood In Durgapur Faridpur CD Block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 4,405 and formed 10.35% of the total workers, agricultural labourers numbered 11,969 and formed 29.83%, household industry workers numbered 1,044 and formed 2.60% and other workers numbered 22,704 and formed 56.59%. Total workers numbered 40,122 and formed 34.61% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 75,802 and formed 65.39% of the population. Coalmines are spread across the Andal, Pandaveswar, Raniganj, Jamuria, Barabani and Salanpur region, including municipal areas. Livelihood in this region is coal-centred. The mining area does not produce much of agricultural products. Overall work participation rate, and female work participation rate, in the