J&K govt says no new wine shops planned for 2026–27

J&K govt says no new wine shops planned for 2026–27

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, the Finance Department, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 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.