Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 11: High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to pass a speaking order within three weeks on the representation moved by inhabitants of Sub-Division Gandoh seeking de-linking of Sub-Division Gandoh from the territorial jurisdiction being exercised by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah.
High Court also directed that the speaking order be passed in the light of the recommendations made by Deputy Commissioner, Doda and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gandoh.
These directions were passed in a writ petition filed by inhabitants of Sub-Division Gandoh (Bhallessa) seeking quashment of Government Order No.249-Rev of 2017 dated 12-10-2017 issued by Commissioner Secretary Revenue Department whereby it was ordered that the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah shall exercise his territorial jurisdiction over the areas comprising Sub-Division Bhaderwah and Sub-Division Gandoh.
When the petition came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocate Iqbal Hussain Bhat appearing for the petitioners submitted that Government initiated a move for upgrading the post of SDM Bhaderwah as Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah and the feedback was sought from Deputy Commissioner Doda and SDM Gandoh.
The SDM Gandoh vide his letter No.SDM/ G/PA/16/1611 dated October 18, 2016 forwarded the requisite details to the District Development Commissioner, Doda wherein it was clearly stated that the population of Sub-Division Gandoh as per census 2011 updated up to 2016 is 83636 with 66 Revenue Villages and 52 Panchayats.
The SDM further stated that the distance of farthest village Manoo and Kahaljugasar of Sub-Division Gandoh from Bhaderwah is 115 kilometer and the distance of Tehsil Headquarter Chilli Pingal of Sub-Division Gandoh from District Headquarter Doda is 68 kilometers and the distance of Tehsil Headquarter Bhallessa of Sub-Division Gandoh from District Headquarter Doda is 66 kilometers and the average distance of Sub-Division Gandoh to District Headquarter Doda is 101.50 kilometers whereas the average distance of Sub-Division Gandoh to Bhaderwah is 144.50 kilometers.
Advocate Ahmed further submitted that SDM Gandoh based upon the backwardness of the area recommended that Sub-Division Gandoh must be kept intact with District Headquarters Doda instead of linking it to Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah. He further submitted that the Deputy Commissioner Doda vide his letter No.DCD/ PA/16/1602 dated November 26, 2016 also recommended to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu on the basis of the recommendations of SDM, Gandoh that instead of linking Sub-Division Gandoh to the proposed Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah it would be appropriate that looking into the far of location of Sub-Division Gandoh the same should be kept with District Headquarters, Doda.
After considering the submissions of Advocate Ahmed, Justice Alok Aradhe disposed off the writ petition by issuing a direction to the Chief Secretary to pass a speaking order within three weeks on the representation moved by inhabitants of Gandoh seeking de-linking of Sub-Division Gandoh from the territorial jurisdiction being exercised by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah.
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