Bhalessa: Separate Administrative identity imperative for conveyance

 *By Sadaket Malik 
                         
Bhalessa as it is commonly called

comprised of the twin valleys of Bonjwah drained and carved by the rivulets and Bhalessa drained by Kalgoni stream whereas the former emerges from the mountain ranges of Chamba near the Sach Peak. The later emerges from the Katari range near Son Bain (Golden Spring) mountain. The two rivults unite near Donadi, a few miles above Thathri on the National Highway 1 B where it finally merges into the Chenab River. The main divisions viz a viz locations are Neeli, Jatota, Pingal, Chilli, Nanota and Basnota. By road, bus services from Doda connect Bhalessa. Bhalessa had come into existence in the year 1948 and its Headquarter is located at a distance of 241 Kmts from the Jammu winter capital and 282 kmts from the Srinagar, the summer capital of the state. The area is located between 32-52 and 41-97 degree longitude. Bhalessa is an administrative unit of Doda headquarter at Gandoh. It is controlled by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate and other officers. Bhalessa and Bhaderwah comprise one assembly segment of Jammu and Kashmir. It was a single administrative unit until 2014, at which time separate tehsils and niabats were established for Bhatyas, Jakyas, Chilly, Kahara and Changa. The Tehsil was firstly established at Gandoh in 1981. The first Tehsildar of Bhalessa was Sh. Durga Dass who joined on 29-07- 1981. There were 19 Tehsildars who administered the area from the last 30 years. The Bhalessa areas is scattered in several zones. In previous years, The Committee of the state government proposed that new Sub-Division Bhalessa shall comprise, Tehsil Bhalessa and Tehsil Thathri. Further it was mentioned that during the visit of the Government Committee to Bhalessa, a demand was projected by the people that twenty three villages falling in three Patwar Halqas namely Kansoo, Jora and Malanoo be attached with Tehsil Bhalessa after their deletion from Tehsil Thathri. Another demand received by the government team during its visit to the area pertained to attachment of eleven villages of Patwar Halqas Patnazi and Jawalapur commonly known as Bunjawa with Tehsil Thathri after their detachment from Tehsil Kishtwar on the ground of proximity of the area and convenience of the people. After considering all counter claims in respect of these demands and taking into consideration, the proximity of Patwar Halqas, administrative convenience and public demand, the team recommends strongly that eight villages of Patwar Halqa Kansoo namely Kansoo, Bathri, Indlu, Dichhal, Bhatoli, Dharyouth, Piyakal, Kuthyara with population of 5,744 be deleted from Tehsil Thathri and added in Tehsil Bhalessa. The demand for attachment of Patwar Halqas Jora and Malanoo with Bhalessa Tehsil is not found justified and agreeable. The government find it unjustified. This was recommended by the committee formed by the government. Now this sub Division is administered by Sub Divisional Magistrate Gandoh. Newly Carved Naibats, Blocks, Tehsils and Sub Division: As per the Cabinet decision No 128/11/2014, Dated 16/07/2014, sanction has been accorded by the government of the state for the establishment of the new Tehsils at Chilly Pingal and Kahara and new Niabatsat Jakyas, Changa, Manoo, Sinoo, Khaljugasar, Bharti kaku. Bhalessa ranked 3rd in Doda District in terms of Population. It ranked 60th in the state. As per the Census record of Government of India, the total population of the area is The Population of the area is 83636 as per census records, There are 66 Revenue Villages, 52 Panchayats in Bhalessa. The distance From District Headquarter Doda to Gandoh to Doda is 66 kilometers whereas the distance from Gnadhoh Bhalessa to Bhaderwah is 96 kilometers. Distance from farthest villages Like Khaljugasar, Manoo from Bhaderwah is 115 kms. Chilly Pingal to Doda is 68 kilometers, Bhaderwah is 98 Kilometers. Tehsil HQ Gandoh to Doda is 66 Kilometers. Sub Division Gandoh is connected by a single road which passes to Bhaderwah through Pul Doda which is only 5 kms from District HQ Doda. . The average distance from Gandoh to Bhaderwah is 144Kms, Sub Div Gandoh to Doda is 101.50 Kms. The recent decision of the Government for attaching Sub Division Gandoh with ADC Bhaderwah is unjust and need withdrawal keeping in view the proximity of Bhalessa and Thathri with District Headquarter Doda. The distance from Bhalessa to Thathri is just 30 Kilometers. There has been a strong resentment among the citizens of Bhalessa against the decision of the government for attaching Bhalessa with ADC Bhaderwah. It is unjust for the people of Bhalessa to visit 99 kilometers to Bhaderwah from Gandoh Bhalessa by crossing the district headquarter Doda that is only 66 kms away from Bhalessa. However Distance from remote villages of Bhalessa Like Khaljugasar, Manoo, Gingota to Bhaderwah is 115 kms. People are on roads for immediate removal of attachment of Sub Division Bhalessa with Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah. It is worthwhile to mention here that Sub Division Thathri and Sub Division Bhalessa are in close proximity and both the sub divisions need to be upgraded and the post of Addidional Deputy Commissioner be created to provide solace to the people.

Sadaket Malik is a Research Scholar in The Lovely Professional University Punjab (INDIA and can be contacted at 7006432002,  sadaket.lpu@gmail.com