West Bengal is known to be an advanced State of India in the context of physical, social and economic development, but it contains within its territory a few backward regions, which reflect the problems of acute regional disparities. One such region situated along the western fringe of south-west West Bengal has been termed as Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad Area (PUPA). This region has been identified by a high level Committee constituted by the Government of West Bengal at the instance of Development and Planning Department of the State in 2000-2001.

For overall development of backward areas situated within this region covering 74 Blocks of five Districts (though there were 73 Blocks at the time of creation of Parshad), "Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad" was formed in May, 2000 under Resolution No. 1409/DP/P/JA/17C-01/2000 dated 18th May, 2000 of Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Developmental works were so far made through the machineries of the District administration. In the context of time, necessity was felt for sometime past to create a Department for better administrative and financial control over the functionaries of Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad. To materialize the necessity, a Department named by "Department of Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs" was created in July, 2006 under Notification No. 194-Home(Cons)R2R(Cons)-10/06, dated 12th July, 2006.

Initially Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad was under the Department of Development and Planning; and at present, Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad is functioning under the administrative control of the Department of Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs. Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad Area consists of 74 (seventy four) Blocks of Bankura, Birbhum, Burdwan, Paschim Medinipur and Purulia Districts including 24 (twenty four) LWE Blocks.

Department of Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs through Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad is working in different fields to fill several critical gaps in development of the area and to reduce regional disparities.

Major portion of the Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad Area is inhabited by tribal communities. Parshad is working incessantly for development of these people by the backward region. The Department has taken-up several schemes for improvement of Socio-Economic, Health and Educational status of the tribal communities in recent years.

Different schemes are being implemented for improvement of Socio-Economic condition of people of Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad Area such as: 

1. Various income generating schemes such as Lac cultivation, developing brood Lac farms, pruning of Kendu plants, cultivation of seedlings of vegetables, Sericulture, Pisiculture etc. Cultivation of non-conventional and profitable crops in this area such as Kharif onions, turmeric, wine grapes etc. has also been taken up for income generation purpose.
2. Apart from that, enormous stress has been given on irrigation and development of barren lands through soil conservation for development of agriculture. It will be very much helpful to the local people. Various canals have been/ are being renovated by the Department. Several water bodies like ponds, bundhs etc. have been renovated or excavated by Department of Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs through PUP.
3. In Health sector, schemes like up-gradation of rural hospital, construction of various Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (N.R.C.), construction of Nursing Training School, supplying machineries to hospitals, extension of hospitals, construction of blood bank, charitable dispensary, conducting regular medical camps in Jungle Mahal, up-gradation of Lokeswarananda Eye foundation to a referral Eye Hospital for spreading their activities in all LWE Blocks have been taken up.
4. Several educational infrastructure development schemes such as construction, renovation and extension of school buildings, laboratory buildings, school libraries, hostel buildings, MSK, SSK and a few colleges are funded by Parshad.
5. Numerous schemes have been taken up to develop the road connectivity of the region by construction or development of roads, bridges, culverts etc.
6. To overcome the scarcity of purified drinking water, sinking plentiful of Tube-well has been taken up in recent years. In addition, arrangements have been made to provide safe purified drinking water in various N.R.C.S.
7. Another important activity of this Department is implementation of 'Geetanjali' programme. This programme aims to provide houses to the 'Economically Weaker Section (EWS)' of the society. The programme is funded by the Department of Housing and the programme is being implemented through Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad as a nodal agency with the help of the District Administrations.
8. Construction of ICDS/Aganwadi centers in different blocks in five districts under Department's jurisdiction.
9. Allotment of Rs. One (1) crore to each of 74 blocks under this Department's jurisdiction.
10. Allotment of special fund for implementation of schemes under "Zilla Parishad- PUAD Mega Scheme Programme."
11. Implementation of big projects under loan assistance from RIDF( NABARD)