A Search for Backward Blocks in Burdwan District, West Bengal: An Application of Composite Development Index

Backward area is identified in terms of development outcomes comparing to rest of the defined administrative area. The measurement of backwardness is an important issue which is the urgent need of the development planners for targeted development. This paper attempts to answer it and prepares the block level backwardness index using available data of Burdwan district. Paper identifies the backward blocks in Burdwan district. Top 3 most backward blocks are Purbasthali-II, Memari-I, and Ketugram-I, and the least backward block is Sultanpur, 2nd least backward block is Andal in district of Burdwan. This block level backwardness index is useful for district planning officers for preparing their priority of development policy agenda.