Sir,
Founded by Raja Bhupat Pal as the capital of Pal Kingdom, Basohli (formerly known as Vishwasthali) is a very old and large tehsil. Even Billawar and Bani tehsils have also emerged from it. In 1970’s it was elevated to the level of sub-district. This town got further prominence when Rajit Sagar Dam was constructed there. It brought with it both positive and negative things.
Due to the construction of Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi, 22 villages of Basohli submerged under water. Earlier, distance from Basohli to Lakhanpur was 36 Kms but now due to dam, it has been extended to 72 kilometers, with it the fare and freight of people has been doubled. Further, it has affected the economy and potential of the tehsil. Most of the fertile land got submerged under the water and no step has been taken by the Government for rehabilitation of the affected people. Even no steps have been taken to boost the economy of Basohli.
On 6 July, 2006, under the Chief Ministership of Ghulam Nabi Azad took some important decisions. One decision was the creation of eight new districts, four each for Jammu and for Kashmir. But it is unfortunate that Basohli did not get elevated to a district. It still is a sub-district while Kishtwar and Ramban were elevated to districts from tehsil level.
Lateron a deputation of some eminent people of the concerned tehsil met the Chief Minister and talked about the unfairness done to Basohli. Mr Azad agreed to the point and told them that the case of Basohli (as being a district) was not properly represented.
Thus, it is requested to the present Government that in view of the above reasons and discrimination done to Basohli, appropriate steps should be taken for its recognition as new district and also elevate Bhoond (now Sheetal Nagar) as a new Tehsil.
Yours etc….
Mohit Basotra
University of Jammu
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