Community development block

[2] The area is administered by a Block Development Officer (BDO), supported by several technical specialists and village-level workers.

[3] A community development block covers several gram panchayats, the local administrative units at the village level.

[7][6][4] The concept of the community development block was first suggested by Grow More Food (GMF) Enquiry Committee in 1952 to address the challenge of multiple rural development agencies working without a sense of common objectives.

[8] Based on the committee's recommendations, the community development programme was launched on a pilot basis in 1952 to provide for a substantial increase in the country's agricultural programme, and for improvements in systems of communication, in rural health and hygiene, and in rural education and also to initiate and direct a process of integrated culture change aimed at transforming the social and economic life of villagers.

By the end the second five-year plan period, there were 3,000 blocks covering 70 per cent of the rural population.