No new wine shops planned for 2026–27: Govt
Jammu, Feb 7: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said there is no proposal to open new wine shops in the Union Territory during the financial year 2026–27.
In a written reply to a question by MLA Arjun Singh Raju, minister incharge Finance Department, informed the House that no new JKEL-2 liquor licences are planned for the upcoming financial year.
The government also shared district-wise revenue generated from existing wine shops over the last two financial years, showing a consistent upward trend.
According to the figures, Jammu district generated ₹48,350.15 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹50,913.93 lakh in 2024–25. Udhampur recorded ₹11,322 lakh and ₹12,061.50 lakh, while Reasi reported ₹3,371 lakh and ₹3,450.50 lakh.
Kathua earned ₹10,653 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹11,272 lakh in 2024–25, and Samba reported ₹9,138.06 lakh and ₹9,740.15 lakh. Doda generated ₹2,353.61 lakh and ₹2,448.17 lakh, while Kishtwar brought in ₹1,681.90 lakh and ₹1,887.59 lakh.
Ramban reported ₹2,299.95 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹2,476.70 lakh in 2024–25, Rajouri ₹4,806.19 lakh and ₹5,336.96 lakh, and Poonch ₹1,497.78 lakh and ₹1,768.92 lakh.
In Kashmir division, Srinagar generated ₹5,489.67 lakh in 2023–24, rising to ₹6,557.66 lakh in 2024–25.
Ganderbal recorded ₹223.45 lakh and ₹319.69 lakh, Baramulla ₹872.23 lakh and ₹1,139.84 lakh, Kupwara ₹415.66 lakh and ₹442.96 lakh, and Anantnag ₹1,403.50 lakh and ₹1,999.50 lakh.
Addressing concerns about alleged benami liquor licences, the government said it has received no such complaints. It added that all licences are issued strictly to J&K domiciles under the Excise Act, 1958, and the excise policies notified periodically. (KNO)
