Excise Department to e-auction 305 vends amid ban row
Amid ongoing controversy over the demand for a ban on the sale of alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir, the Excise Department has unveiled the excise policy for the 2025-26 period, which includes the e-auction of a total of 305 liquor vends across the Union Territory.
The 305 vends will include 14 in the Valley, where the call for a ban on liquor in J&K was first raised. This policy comes at a time when political and religious leaders have expressed differing opinions. While some have demanded a complete ban on alcohol, others, including National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq, have cautioned that such a ban could negatively impact the region’s tourism, which heavily relies on visitors from across India.
Jammu district, where many social organisations have raised concerns about the growing abuse of alcohol, will have the highest number of 153 liquor vends. In the Kashmir region, e-auctions will be held for seven vends in Srinagar, with additional auctions for one liquor vend each in Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Qazigund, Gulmarg, Baramulla, Uri and Kupwara.
According to the Excise Policy, the Minimum Guaranteed Revenue (MGR) per vend in Srinagar is set at Rs 35 lakh per month. The policy further specifies that retail vends (JKEL-2) will be allotted as individual units for the year 2025-26. Each licensed vend will be authorised to sell JK Special Whisky, JK Country Liquor, Indian Made Foreign Liquor, including imported foreign liquor, beer, wine and cider.
Three MLAs have submitted separate private members’ bills calling for a ban on alcohol in the region: PDP legislator from Kupwara Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) legislator from Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad and NC MLA from Lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi.
The bidding process will allow applicants to apply for multiple vends, but to prevent cartelisation, only one vend will be awarded to the highest bidder. The policy stipulates that only domiciles of J&K who also own immovable property in the region will be eligible to participate in the bid.
The Muslim-majority districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch will have 49 liquor vends.
