IX-DISTRICT UDHAMPUR

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CHAPTER – IX

DISTRICT UDHAMPUR

9.1 District Udhampur is one of the oldest Districts of the State and was in existence even prior to 1947. Udhampur, headquarter of the District; is named after Raja Udham Singh who had established the town in the dense forest existing then. It is located on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH 1-A) at a distance of 60 km from Jammu. Earlier boundaries of the District were upto Peer Panjal (Jawahar tunnel) and the present District Doda used to be its part .


During the first reorganization of the State which took place in the year 1948, present District Doda was carved out of District Udhampur, while some portions of erstwhile District Reasi were merged with Udhampur District. As on date the District comprises five Tehsils namely Udhampur, Ramnagar, Chenani, Reasi and Gool-Gulabgarh with three sub-divisions namely Reasi, Mahore and Dudu- Basantgarh. The District is situated in the south-eastern part of the State and is bounded in the west by Rajouri District, in the north by Anantnag District, in the North-east by Doda District, in the South-east by Kathua District and in the South-west by Jammu District.

9.2 It is in this District that the famous Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is located on the holy Trikuta Hills in Katra area which annually attracts around 70 lacs pilgrims mostly from outside the State. The picturesque Mansar Lake lies in the Southeast of the District. Salal Hydro Electric Power project is located in Tehsil Reasi of District Udhampur with generation capacity of 690 MW providing electricity to the northern Grid. Patnitop a popular tourist spot of Jammu Division is 47 Km away from the District headquarter. Presently Udhampur is also the Headquarter of Army’s Northern Command.

9.3 The District is rich in mineral deposits like Coal, Bauxite, Gypsum, Limestone, Manganese etc. Coal and Bauxite deposits occur in Jungle Gali and Sukhal Gali areas, Manganese deposits are located in Katra/Panthel area, while Gulabgarh area is rich in fine quality of Gypsum. Although rivers Chenab, Ans, Tawi and Ujh flow through the District, yet due to mountainous topography the river water is not being used to the desired extent. 


The District is mainly drought prone and only a small area is covered under irrigation. It has a varied topography, generally interwoven with the Shivalik range of hills. There are, however, few inhabited areas above the height of 1100 meter or so which experience snowfall and severe cold in winters. Geographical area of the District is 4550 sq. kms, while area under forest is 2343 sq. kms and population of the District as per 2001census is 743509.

9.4 While creating new administrative units vide the Cabinet decision referred to in Chapter I following two new administrative units have been made in Udhampur District.

i) Reasi – District

ii) Majalta – Tehsil

9.5 With a view to ascertain views of all concerned, the Committee visited various parts of District Udhampur including Udhampur, Reasi, Majalta, Katra, Pouni and Tikri. Interaction was also had with public representatives as well as senior officers of the District administration.

9.6 As regards creation of new District Reasi the proposals are discussed in detail in Chapter VII of this report, where as in respect of carving out new Tehsil Majalta the views of the Committee are discussed in Para 9.7 onwards.

TEHSIL MAJALTA

9.7 At present Majalta is a territorial Niabat of Tehsil Ramnagar comprising thirteen Patwar Halqas and forty two villages with its headquarter at Majalta. There was a long pending demand from the population of Niabat Majalta, living in a hilly belt astride the Dhar-Udhampur road forming the meeting ground of Districts of Kathua, Jammu and Udhampur, for upgradation of the Niabat to Tehsil. 


The present Tehsil Headquarter Ramnagar is at a radial distance of around 65 km from Majalta, even by pedestrian route the distance is about 20 Km after crossing Parli- Dhar which takes 4 to 5 hours journey on foot. There were genuine difficulties faced by the people of Majalta in reaching Tehsil headquarter at Ramnagar. As such, upgradation of Niabat Majalta to the Tehsil status shall go a long way in mitigating genuine problems of poor people of this hilly belt.

9.8 At Majalta a representation duly signed by a large number of residents of the area was presented to the Committee wherein it was vehemently expressed to continue the new Tehsil Majalta as a part of District Udhampur and not to merge it with the new District Samba, although there was also an under- current amongst the people present there to the effect that new Tehsil Majalta needs to be made part of new District Samba because of nearness, trade and social relations of people of Majalta with Samba. 


It may however, be in place to mention here that the logic of attaching Tehsil Majalta with Samba has some force, but in the first place the demand was not formally projected by any one, secondly with the carving out of new District Reasi out of District Udhampur and detaching villages of Gool Niabat to be made part of new District Ramban as proposed in Chapter V of this report, exclusion of Majalta Niabat (now Tehsil) would further reduce the already diminished size of Udhampur District. Therefore, the Committee is of the view that new Tehsil Majalta should continue to remain part of the District Udhampur.

9.9 As regards constitution of the new Tehsil Majalta it may be indicated that Tehsil Ramnagar comprises 36 Patwar Halqas and 132 villages. Areas forming part of Niabat Majalta are distinctly separated from rest part of the Tehsil by ‘PARLI DHAR’ hill. At the same time jurisdiction of Niabat is co-terminus with the C.D Block Majalta; therefore there was every justification to keep the boundaries of Niabat Majalta as the boundaries of new Tehsil Majalta but for the following exceptions:-

(i) While projecting the demand that new Tehsil Majalta be kept part of District Udhampur, a demand was also projected that four villages adjoining the boundaries of the Niabat namely, Garhsamnabanj, Babey, Motu, Choar forming part of Patwar Halqas Garhsamnabanj and Joffer presently part of Niabat Ramnagar be also added in new Tehsil Majalta, as it would be more convenient for the residents of these four villages to approach Majalta than Ramnagar. 


It may be in place to mention here that while Patwar Halqa Garhsamnabanj comprises five villages namely Garhasamnabanj, Babey, Lehar, Dheeran and Baryalta – Samnabanj, the Patwar Halqa Joffer comprises four villages namely Joffer, Balota-Chigla, Motu and Choar .

On further enquires by the Committee this demand has been found justified because only these four villages of the two Patwar Halqas i.e. Garhsamnabanj and Joffer fall on Majalta side of ‘Parli- Dhar’ hill, while rest of the five villages fall on the other side of the hill i.e. on Ramnagar side. Therefore, in order to accede to the demand need would rise to rationalize the two Patwar Halqas in the following manner.

Present Position Proposed

A) Garhsamnabanj Garhsamnabanj

1. Garhsamnabanj 1. Garhsamnabanj

2. Babey 2. Babey

3. Lehar 3. Motu

4. Baryalta- Samnabanj 4. Choar

5. Dheeran

B) Joffer Joffer

1. Joffer 1. Joffer

2. Motu 2. Lehar

3. Choar 3. Baryalta -Samnabanj

4. Blohta-Chigla 4. Blohta-Chigla

5. Dheeran

In this connection, it may further be in place to mention that even the Wazir Commission Report contains a recommendations on the above lines for the reorganization of the Patwar Halqas and inclusion of proposed Patwar Halqa Garhsamnabanj in the then proposed Tehsil Majalta. 


Thus the Committee also recommends the reorganization of the two Patwar Halqas namely Garhsamnabanj and Joffer as indicated above and inclusion of the proposed Patwar Halqa Garhsamnabanj comprising villages Garhsamnabanj, Babey, Motu and Choar to be part of new Tehsil Majalta and Patwar Halqa Joffer comprising five villages Joffer, Lehar, Baryalta- Samnabanj, Dheeran and Balota-Chigla to be part of Tehsil Ramnagar.

(ii) While the Committee visited Mansar, a deputation from villages forming part of Patwar Chani-Mansar forcefully represented that keeping in view proximity of the area and their trade links with Samba town they would prefer to be part of Tehsil Samba (New District Samba).Otherwise too on the grounds discussed in detail in Chapter VIII of the report, the Committee is of the view that Mansar and its adjoining villages (forming part of Patwar Halqa Chani-Mansar) should go to new District Samba.

(iii) As is mentioned in Chapter VIII of this report there was a forceful demand from the people of Samba to the effect that in order to make the new District a viable administrative unit, Tehsil Majalta be made part of new District Samba. At the same time it was also suggested that in case Majalta is not agreed to be made part of new District Samba, village Hardollian of Tehsil Samba be attached with new Tehsil Majalta, as for the public residing in the said village Majalta is much closer to them than Samba viza-viz communication, trade/social relations. 


The Committee on a discrete inquiry has found that village Hardollian is part of Patwar Halqa Kard comprising eight villages. There is no justification in attaching seven villages namely Kard, Kaner, Jeed, Baboon, Reor, Jatah and Pius with new Tehsil Majalta but taking into account the convenience of the people as also for administrative convenience there is much logic in detaching village Hardollian from Tehsil Samba and attaching the same with new Tehsil Majalta.


As indicated in Chapter I, the Committee, as a general principle, has tried to adhere to the principle that existing Patwar Halqas may not be bifurcated/disturbed, but in view of the uniqueness of the situation in respect of village Hardollian, the Committee proposes that since Majalta is not being proposed to be part of new District Samba for the reasons given in Chapter VIII village Hardollian, as an exception to the general principle, be made part of new Tehsil Majalta where it may be included in any adjoining Patwar Halqa as the District Administration would propose and is agreed to by the competent authority.

(iv) With this the number of Patwar Halqas and villages in new Tehsil Majalta and Ramnagar would be as under:-

S.No. Tehsil No. of Patwar Halqas No. of villages

1. Majalta 12 40

2. Ramnagar 23 90

9.10 Based on the above position details of Patwar Halqas and villages forming part of new Tehsil Majalta as well as Tehsil Ramnagar are indicating in Appendix IX-1 and IX-2 respectively, whereas map indicated the boundaries of the two Tehsils is marked as Appendix IX-3.

9.11 As discussed in detail in Chapter VI, Gool Niabat comprising 18 villages has been proposed to be attached with new District Ramban after its detachment from Tehsil Mahore of District Udhampur. Similarly, details of the Patwar Halqas and villages excluded from District Udhampur to be made part of new District Reasi are contained in Chapter-VII of this report.


Therefore, after affecting changes/deletion of Patwar Halqas and villages from the present District Udhampur in the process of formation of new Districts Ramban and Reasi, the District Udhampur shall now comprise four Tehsils namely, Udhampur, Chenani, Ramnagar and Majalta (New Tehsil ) having seventy seven Patwar Halqas with three hundred and seventy one villages as per following details:-

Tehsil No. of Patwar Halqas No. of villages

Udhampur 32 194

Ramnagar 23 90

Majalta 12 40

Chenani 10 47

Total 77 371

9.12 Particulars of Patwar Halqas and villages forming part of District Udhampur are contained in Appendix IX-4 and the map indicating the boundaries of the District after carving out new District Reasi and attaching of Gool Niabat with new District Ramban etc. is marked as Appendix IX-5.

APPENDIX IX – 1

TEHSIL – MAJALTA

S.No. Name of Patwar Halqas Name of Villages

1. Majalta i. Majalta

ii. Satriari

2. Dhama i. Dhama

ii. Grah Paimasta

iii. Lala

3. Thalora i. Thalora

ii. Cheani

iii. Nagrota Tajoor

4. Jansal i. Jansal

ii. Jagwal

iii. Haripur

iv. Bhaleter

5. Peoni i. Peoni

ii. Tajoor

iii. Kathil Dhanga

6. Beot i. Beot

ii. Thial

iii. Blaspur

iv. Sunal

7. Sehal i. Sehal

ii. Kail

8. Palanoo i. Palanoo

ii. Jakhanu

iii. Pathwar

9. Amara i. Amara

ii. Omwara

iii. Sundal

iv. Naki

10. Bharnara i. Bharnara

ii. Neeli

iii. Shapur

11. Battal i. Battal

ii. Bariyalta

iii. Serail Choua

iv. Kakrai

12. Garh-Samnabanj i. Garh-Samnabanj

ii. Babey

iii. Motu

iv. Choar

i. Hardollian*

Total: 12 Patwar Halqas 40 Villages

* Village Hardollian presently is part of Tehsil Samba but has now been proposed to be attached with new Tehsil Majalta (Para 9.9 (iii) refers). The village could be made part of any adjoining Patwar Halqa of Tehsil Majalta as may be decided by the competent authority later on in consulatation with the District Administration.

APPENDIX IX – 2

TEHSIL – RAMNAGAR

S.No. Name of Patwar Halqas Name of Villages

1. Latti i. Latti

ii. Chapper

2. Dudu i. Dudu

ii. Jakhed

3. Pachound i. Pachound

ii. Padder

iii. Dhar Swaj

4. Basantgarh i. Basantgarh

ii. Balota Upperia

iii. Loudhra

5. Mang i. Mang

ii. Punara

iii. Rai Chak

iv. Kadhua

v. Khaned

vi. Palai

vii. Siamehari

6. Rasligadheren i. Rasligadheren

ii. Raslithakurai

iii. Chakal

iv. Rathal

v. Chattari

7. Amroh i. Amroh

ii. Incha

iii. Keya

iv. Bari

v. Ladana

8. Joffer i. Joffer

ii. Balota-Chigla

iii. Lehar

iv. Dheeran

v. Baryalta-Samnabanj

9. Kaghote i. Kaghote

ii. Dehari

10. Bhatyari i. Bhatyari

ii. Katheel Ganju

iii. Plaran

iv. Romain

11. Kogarmarh i. Kogarmarh

ii. Pinger

iii. Bainsta

iv. Thelay

12. Dhanwalat i. Dhanwalat

ii. Rang

iii. Bhella

iv. Konian

v. Farol

vi. Blandh

vii. Udhak

13. Kirmoo i. Kirmoo

ii. Sunetar

iii. Kheen

14. Ramnagar i. Ramnagar

ii. Jandrari

iii. Thaplal

iv. Marta

15. Sattian i. Sattian

ii. Proy

iii. Kela

iv. Tagan

v. Sullan

vi. Katwalt

16. Dalsar i. Dalsar

ii. Birnoo

iii. Surni

iv. Kanah

v. Badhole

vi. Seunti

17. Jandrore i. Jandrore

ii. Nallah-Malina

iii. Rassain

18. Ghordi-Khas i. Ghordi-Khas

ii. Nagrota-Ghordi

iii. Serbala

iv. Bindla

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19. Mala-Ghoran i. Mala-Ghoran

ii. Jagir-Gordi

20. Chanunta i. Chanunta

ii. Panj-Grrian

iii. Ser-Manjla

iv. Bhugtrian

21. Dhandal i. Dhandal

ii. Lahar

iii. Mari

iv. Sarsoo

22. Hartaryan i. Hartaryan

ii. Suglar

iii. Paraua-Jagir

23. Barmeen i. Barmeen

ii. Satyalla

Total: 23 Patwar Halqas 90 Villages

APPENDIX IX – 3

MAP SHOWING THE BOUNDARIES OF TEHSILS MAJALTA & RAMNAGAR

APPENDIX IX – 4

DISTRICT – UDHAMPUR

S.No. Name of Patwar Halqas Name of Villages

1. Mir i. Mir

ii. Chulna

2. Lander i. Brinda lander

ii. Kansal

iii. Majra Rasalan

iv. Dandota

v. Malti

vi. Diggi

vii. Kotla

viii. Purani Budhi

3. Badhota i. Badhota

ii. Sadhota

iii. Galiote

4. Katti i. Katti

ii. Ush Subha

iii. Ush Nehala

iv. Latyar

v. Panwal

vi. Kutlyar Pain

vii. Kutlyar Bala

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viii. Braie

5. Krimchi i. Krimchi

ii. Jarr

iii. Lansi

iv. Belli

v. Takoli

vi. Sail Jattan

vii. Farna

viii. Mangote

ix. Sorap

6. Mansar i. Mansar

ii. Pangara Khalsa

iii. Pathi

iv. Narore

v. Pangara Jagir

7. Panjar i. Panjar

ii. Moungri

iii. Nali Nika

iv. Dubka Bagh

v. Basnote

vi. Kalsote

vii. Dubi Gali

8. Ladda i. Ladda

ii. Kothri

iii. Malli

iv. Jadsar Kote

9. Lali i. Lali

ii. Damnote

iii. Prand

iv. Radhnote

v. Dhingi Dhar

vi. Thata Kote

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10. Tikri i. Tikri

ii. Mand

iii. Seen Thakram

11. Dhanoo i. Dhanoo

ii. Sumundrani

iii. Muttal

iv. Seen Brahmana

12. Chandwa i. Chandwa

ii. Manoon

iii. taleen

iv. Nelay

v. Bhagta

vi. Sarley

vii. Padho

viii. Dadura

ix. Kun-Kanyalan

x. Chak Bhagta

13. Sool i. Sool

ii. Dhirti

iii. Tareen Mehari

iv. Sira Kotla

v. Dharote

vi. Pamote

vii. Kakryal

viii. Kandyar

14. Jaganoo i. Jaganoo

ii. Sare

iii. Marore

iv. Rakh Jaganoo

v. Thanoa

vi. Rakh thanoa

vii. Bhag Pur

viii. Kah Sadhotran

15. Ballian i. Ballian

ii. Roun

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iii. Sounthian

iv. Brarian

v. Thill

16. Battal i. Battal

ii. Gadhar

iii. Darsoo

17. Malhar i. Malhar

ii. Garnai

18. Barta i. Barta

ii. Ritti

iii. Dudhar

iv. Kuh

v. Shaper

19. Sunal i. Sunal

ii. Karowa

iii. Bassan

iv. Kuperla

v. Johan

vi. Mandolat

vii. Dhalper

20. Udhampur i. Udhampur

ii. Omara

iii. Rakh Kathiala

iv. Rount

v. Barrian

vi. Karlai Suki

vii. Karlai Kangalu

viii. Kalar Himti

ix. Dandial

21. Pakhlai i. Pakhlai

ii. Dhar Gadhian

iii. Laddan

iv. Rakh Totli

v. Hansoo

vi. Totli Balla

vii. Ossou

22. Kawa i. Kawa

ii. Brial

iii. Thali

iv. Umalla

v. Chanthal

vi. Chari

vii. Swail

viii. Mansoo

ix. Kashi Rah

x. Kah

xi. Bashal Jattan

xii. Bashal Rojarian

xiii. Nowah

23. Rathian i. Rathian

ii. Shajalta

iii. Jakhain

iv. Gangara

v. Dalah

vi. Sangoor

vii. Sail Sallan

viii. Karlai Khalki

ix. Thanda Padar

x. Prayan

xi. Gordi

xii. Channi

xiii. Nagrota

xiv. Sotain

24. Bali i. Bali

ii. Laday

iii. Modh

iv. Manta

v. Chatara

vi. Tordi

25. Ladha i. Ladha

ii. Samroli

iii. Nadsoo

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iv. Dhar Ladda

v. Chunti

vi. Kithar

vii. Chirdi

26. Chakhar i. Chakhar

ii. Sambal

iii. Sui

iv. Gandala

v. Himbra

vi. Tirshi

vii. Rakh Tanday

27. Jib i. Jib

ii. Padanoo

iii. Kalta

28. Rehmble i. Rehmble

ii. Khataryar

iii. Kotli Pain

iv. Magain

29. Sansoo i. Sansoo

ii. Rakh Sansoo

iii. Dhanouri

iv. Dali Chack

v. Badali

vi. Manpa

30. Chak Rakwalan i. Chak Rakwalan

ii. Tope

iii. Mela

iv. Batla

v. Rakh Nera Nal

vi. Dabrah

31. Barolla i. Barolla

ii. patta

iii. Kotli Jijjan

32. Hartaryan i. Hartaryan

ii. Samool

33. Chenani i. Chenani

ii. Baishty

iii. Batna

iv. Margana

v. Ghantwal

vi. Inoha

vii. Kurd

viii. Mandir Dudaln

ix. Champyari

34. Kud i. Kud

ii. Pachote

iii. Sangote

iv. Mandlote

v. Khatriar

35. Karlah i. Karlah

ii. Chalyar

iii. Basht

iv. Dhar Shiv Garh

36. Satyalta i. Satyalta

ii. Charat

iii. Senna

iv. Bant

v. Kahri

37. Mada i. Mada

ii. Kither Jagir

38. Sudhmahadev i. Sudhmahadev

ii. Katwalta

iii. Bachhal

iv. Mantalai

v. Ghumarli

vi. Kherwa

vii. Hardwar

viii. Bain

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39. Nagulta i. Nagulta

ii. Tandhar

40. Gharian Khurd i. Gharian Khurd

ii. Gharian Kalan

iii. Kalassar

iv. Matlowa

41. Sira i. Sira

ii. Marothi

iii. Pattan Garh

42. Bup i. Bup

ii. Sarar Karpalt

iii. Jig

iv. Gashand

v. Kushar

43. Latti i. Latti

ii. Chapper

44. Dudu i. Dudu

ii. Jakhed

45. Pachound i. Pachound

ii. Padder

iii. Dhar Swaj

46. Basantgarh i. Basantgarh

ii. Balota Upperia

iii. Loudhra

47. Mang i. Mang

ii. Punara

iii. Rai Chak

iv. Kadhua

v. Khaned

vi. Palai

vii. Siamehari

48. Rasligadheren i. Rasligadheren

ii. Raslithakurai

iii. Chakal

iv. Rathal

v. Chattari

49. Amroh i. Amroh

ii. Incha

iii. Keya

iv. Bari

v. Ladana

50. Joffer i. Joffer

ii. Balota-Chigla

iii. Lehar

iv. Dheeran

v. Baryalta-Samnabanj

51. Kaghote i. Kaghote

ii. Dehari

52. Bhatyari i. Bhatyari

ii. Katheel Ganju

iii. Plaran

iv. Romain

53. Kogarmarh i. Kogarmarh

ii. Pinger

iii. Bainsta

iv. Thelay

54. Dhanwalat i. Dhanwalat

ii. Rang

iii. Bhella

iv. Konian

v. Farol

vi. Blandh

vii. Udhak

55. Kirmoo i. Kirmoo

ii. Sunetar

iii. Kheen

56. Ramnagar i. Ramnagar

ii. Jandrari

iii. Thaplal

iv. Marta

57. Sattian i. Sattian

ii. Proy

iii. Kela

iv. Tagan

v. Sullan

vi. Katwalt

58. Dalsar i. Dalsar

ii. Birnoo

iii. Surni

iv. Kanah

v. Badhole

vi. Seunti

59. Jandrore i. Jandrore

ii. Nallah-Malina

iii. Rassain

60. Ghordi-Khas i. Ghordi-Khas

ii. Nagrota-Ghordi

iii. Serbala

iv. Bindla

61. Mala-Ghoran i. Mala-Ghoran

ii. Jagir-Gordi

62. Chanunta i. Chanunta

ii. Panj-Grrian

iii. Ser-Manjla

iv. Bhugtrian

63. Dhandal i. Dhandal

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ii. Lahar

iii. Mari

iv. Sarsoo

64. Hartaryan i. Hartaryan

ii. Suglar

iii. Paraua-Jagir

65. Barmeen i. Barmeen

ii. Satyalla

66. Majalta i. Majalta

ii. Satrari

67. Dhamma i. Dhamma

ii. Garh Pangasta

iii. Lala

68. Thalora i. Thalora

ii. Cheani

iii. Nagrota Tajur

69. Jansal i. Jansal

ii. Jagwal

iii. Haripur

iv. Paetar

70. Peoni i. Peoni

ii. Tajoor

iii. Kathil Dhanga

71. Thial i. Beot

ii. Thial

iii. Blaspur

iv. Sunal

72. Sail i. Sail

ii. Kail

73. Palanu i. Palanu

ii. Jakhenu

iii. Pathwar

74. Amara i. Amara

ii. Omara

iii. Sundla

iv. Nakki

75. Bharnara i. Bharnara

ii. Neeli

iii. Shapur

76. Battal i. Battal

ii. Bariyalta

iii. Serai Chua

iv. Kakrai

77. Garh-Samnabanj i. Garh-Samnabanj

ii. Babey

iii. Motu

iv. Choar

i. Hardollian*

Total: 77 Patwar Halqas 371 Villages

* Village Hardollian presently is part of Tehsil Samba but has now been proposed to be attached with new Tehsil Majalta (Para 9.9 (iii) refers). The village could be made part of any adjoining Patwar Halqa of Tehsil Majalta as may be decided by the competent authority later on in consulatation with the District Administration.

APPENDIX IX – 5

MAP SHOWING THE BOUNDARIES OF DISTRICT UDHAMPUR