excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants. Following land reforms land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Chandipur CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 13.22%, patta (document) holders 12.06%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 2.27%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 29.60% and agricultural labourers 42.84%. In 2013-14, Chandipur CD Block produced 773 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 2,248 hectares, 8,682 tonnes of Boro paddy, the spring crop, from 2,462 hectares, 593 tonnes of Aus paddy, the summer crop, from 1,243 hectares, 27 tonnes of jute from 2 hectares and 3,354 tonnes of potatoes from 121 hectares. It also produced pulses and oil seeds. Betelvine is a major source of livelihood in Purba Medinipur district, particularly in Tamluk and Contai subdivisions. Betelvine production in 2008-09 was the highest amongst all the districts and was around a third of the total state production. In 2008-09, Purba Mednipur produced 2,789 tonnes of cashew nuts from 3,340 hectares of land. Pisciculture Purba Medinipur's net district domestic product derives one fifth of its earnings from fisheries, the highest amongst all the districts of West Bengal. The nett area available for effective pisciculture in Chandipur CD Block in 2013-14 was 1050.00 hectares. 6,440 persons were engaged in the profession and approximate annual production was 40,005 quintals. Banking In 2013-14, Chandipur CD Block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 1 gramin bank. Backward Regions Grant Fund Medinipur East 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 Chandipur CD Block has 6 originating/ terminating bus routes. Lavan Satygraha Smarak railway station is a station on the Tamluk-Digha line, constructed in 2003-04. SH 4 connecting Jhalda (in Purulia district) and Digha (in Purba Medinipur district) passes through Chandipur. Education In 2013-14, Chandipur CD Block had 121 primary schools with 9,247 students, 3 middle schools with 530 students, 15 high schools with 7,339 students and 16 higher secondary schools with 16,672 students. Chandipur CD Block had 1 technical/ professional institution with 99 students, 283 institutions for special and non-formal