Barnala district

Barnala district
District of Punjab
Gurudwara Tap Asthan Bibi
Location in Punjab
Country	India
State	Punjab
Established	2006
Headquarters	Barnala
Area
• Total	1,423 km2 (549 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	595,527
• Density	420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Languages
• Regional	Punjabi, Hindi, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Website	barnala.gov.in

Barnala is one of the districts of Indian state of Punjab. It was carved out of Sangrur district, in November 2006. It is a centrally located district bordered by Ludhiana district on the north, Moga district on northwest, Bathinda district on west, Sangrur district on east and Mansa district on south. As per census 2011, Population of District Barnala is 5,96,294. Barnala boasts a significant number of colleges that offer a diverse range of educational opportunities in fields such as engineering, arts, medicine, and commerce. Furthermore, the town is renowned for its thriving industrial sector. Two main Industries: Trident Group (which is mainly known for its world class towels) and a large Industry producing Combines, Standard Combines were also established here.^{[citation needed]}

It is a centrally located district bordered by Ludhiana district on the north, Moga district on the northwest, Bathinda district on the west, Sangrur district on east and Mansa district on south. The current MLAs of the district are Mr. Meet Hayer of AAP from Barnala Constituency, Mr. Labh Singh Ugoke of AAP from Bhadaur Constituency, and Mr. Kulwant Singh Pandori of AAP from Mehal Kalan Constituency.

As of 2011, it is the least populous district of Punjab (out of 23).^[2]

District administration

• The Deputy Commissioner (DC), an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the overall in-charge of the general administration in the district. Currently Poonamdeep Kaur, IAS is Deputy Commissioner of Barnala District. He is assisted by a number of officers belonging to Punjab Civil Service and other state services.
• The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues of the district. Currently, Mr.Sandeep Malik, IPS is the Senior Superintendent of Police. He is expected to maintain very cordial relations with all the NGO's and social associations of the city. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Police Service and other Punjab Police officials.
• Indian Red Cross Society (IRC). Red Cross is globally accredited for its presence in providing quality health care services and always extends a helping hand to the needy. Indian Red Cross Society (IRC), Barnala District branch is having Mr. Sarwan Singh as its secretary. Patrons, Life Members, and volunteers of the society recently attended a "Seminar on Fund Raising and Capacity Building" at Ferozepur (the border town of Punjab)on 26 April 2011. Dr. Raj Kumar Jindal led the delegation.
• The District Public Relations Officer (DPRO). He is responsible for public relations of the state government as well as the district administrations. He issues and authorizes press notes to the print and electronic media of the district. Maintains records of all press and electronic channel reporters. Currently, Smt. Megha Mann is the DPRO of the Barnala District.
• The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service is responsible for managing the forests, environment, and wildlife-related issues of the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Forest Service and other Punjab Forest officials and Punjab Wild-Life officials. Sectoral development is looked after by the district head of each development department such as PWD, Agriculture, Health, Education, and Animal husbandry. These officers belong to various State Services.
• The District Informatics Officer (DIO), head of National Informatics Center. This department works regarding the E-Governance and other Technology-based Services that provide an automated environment to do the various tasks in District Office. Currently, Mr.Mohammad kasif is DIO.

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1951	188,189	—
1961	242,368	+2.56%
1971	292,463	+1.90%
1981	362,663	+2.17%
1991	440,772	+1.97%
2001	526,931	+1.80%
2011	595,527	+1.23%
source:[5]

According to the 2011 census, Barnala district has a population of 595,527,^[2] roughly equal to the nation of Solomon Islands^[6] or the US state of Wyoming.^[7] As per 2011 census, Barnala is the least populous district of Punjab. This gives it a ranking of 527th in India (out of a total of 640).^[2] The district has a population density of 419 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,090/sq mi) .^[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.16%.^[2] Barnala has a sex ratio of 876 females for every 1000 males,^[2] and a literacy rate of 68.9%. Scheduled Castes made up 32.24% of the population.^[2]

At the time of the 2011 census, 95.14% of the population spoke Punjabi and 4.30% Hindi as their first language.^[3]

The table below shows the population of different religions in absolute numbers in the urban and rural areas of Barnala district.

Absolute numbers of different religious groups in Barnala district^[8]

Religion	Urban (2011)	Rural (2011)
Sikh	1,03,541	3,64,210
Hindu	82,016	30,843
Muslim	4,304	8,796
Christian	358	264
Other religions	466	729

The table below shows the population of different religious groups in Barnala district, as of 2011 census.

Population by religious groups in Barnala district, 2011 census^[9]

Religion	Total	Female	Male
Sikh	467,751	220,451	247,300
Hindu	112,859	50,679	62,180
Muslim	13,100	6,058	7,042
Christian	622	286	336
Jain	246	105	141
Buddhist	108	41	67
Other religions	481	227	254
Not stated	360	158	202
Total	595,527	278,005	317,522

Politics

No.	Constituency	Name of MLA	Party		Bench
106	Bhadaur	Labh Singh Ugoke		Aam Aadmi Party	Government
107	Barnala	Meet Hayer		Aam Aadmi Party	Government
108	Mehal Kalan (SC)	Kulwant Singh Pandori		Aam Aadmi Party	Government

Notable people

• Ram Sarup Ankhi - Punjabi writer, novelist and poet
• Surjit Singh Barnala - politician who served as the chief minister of Punjab state
• Balwant Gargi - Punjabi language dramatist, theatre director, novelist, and short story writer
• Devendra Satyarthi - Indian folklorist and writer of Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu literature.
• Karam Singh - soldier who was the first living recipient of the Param Vir Chakra
• Sant Ram Udasi - Punjabi poet

See also

• Chananwal
• Pharwahi
• Uppli

References

External links

SettlementsAssembly constituenciesOther districts