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, the 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 Rs 48,350.15 lakh in 2023–24 and Rs 50,913.93 lakh in 2024–25. Udhampur recorded Rs 11,322 lakh and Rs 12,061.50 lakh, while Reasi reported Rs 3,371 lakh and Rs 3,450.50 lakh.
Kathua earned Rs 10,653 lakh in 2023–24 and Rs 11,272 lakh in 2024–25, and Samba reported Rs 9,138.06 lakh and Rs 9,740.15 lakh. Doda generated Rs 2,353.61 lakh and Rs 2,448.17 lakh, while Kishtwar brought in Rs 1,681.90 lakh and Rs 1,887.59 lakh.
Ramban reported Rs 2,299.95 lakh in 2023–24 and Rs 2,476.70 lakh in 2024–25, Rajouri Rs 4,806.19 lakh and Rs 5,336.96 lakh, and Poonch Rs 1,497.78 lakh and Rs 1,768.92 lakh.
In Kashmir division, Srinagar generated Rs 5,489.67 lakh in 2023–24, rising to Rs 6,557.66 lakh in 2024–25.
Ganderbal recorded Rs 223.45 lakh and Rs 319.69 lakh, Baramulla Rs 872.23 lakh and Rs 1,139.84 lakh, Kupwara Rs 415.66 lakh and Rs 442.96 lakh, and Anantnag Rs 1,403.50 lakh and Rs 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)