Rs 3,450 Cr earned from Bars, Wine Shops across J&K in 3 yrs: Govt

J&K Govt clarifies in assembly, ‘no proposal to declare J&K a dry UT’

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that there is no proposal under consideration to declare the Union Territory a dry UT, even as liquor sales have generated over Rs 3,450 crore in revenue during the last three financial years.
In a written reply to Assembly Question tabled by MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, the government said prohibition could lead to increased smuggling from neighbouring States and UTs, growth of illegal distillation, strengthening of liquor mafias, and serious public health risks.
It also warned of adverse effects on tourism, hospitality, transport and manufacturing sectors, besides loss of livelihoods for thousands of people associated with the liquor trade.
In Jammu district, there were 140 wine shops and 84 bars in 2022-23, generating a revenue of Rs 51,262.41 lakh. In 2023-24, the number increased to 151 wine shops and 93 bars, with revenue of Rs 50,826.31 lakh. For 2024-25, the district had 153 wine shops and 97 bars, generating Rs 52,292.83 lakh, the highest in the UT.
In Kathua, revenue stood at Rs 12,367.06 lakh in 2022-23 with 28 wine shops and 33 bars. The figures for 2023-24 were Rs 12,217.17 lakh from 33 wine shops and 36 bars, while in 2024-25, revenue rose to Rs 12,694.98 lakh with 31 wine shops and 37 bars.
Samba district recorded revenue of Rs 8,229.14 lakh in 2022-23, which increased to Rs 9,825.74 lakh in 2023-24 and further to Rs 10,299.42 lakh in 2024-25, with wine shops rising from 14 to 19 over the three years.
In Udhampur, revenue increased steadily from Rs 10,777.00 lakh in 2022-23 to Rs 12,410.00 lakh in 2023-24, and Rs 12,987.50 lakh in 2024-25, supported by 26-28 wine shops and 22-25 bars.
Reasi district generated Rs 3,125.00 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 3,375.00 lakh in 2023-24, and Rs 3,450.50 lakh in 2024-25, with wine shops increasing from 6 to 11, though bars reduced to zero in the latest year.
In Doda, revenue remained stable at Rs 2,545.01 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 2,696.85 lakh in 2023-24, and Rs 2,685.29 lakh in 2024-25, with 10 wine shops and 3 bars throughout.
Kishtwar recorded Rs 1,216.76 lakh in 2022-23, rising to Rs 1,731.39 lakh in 2023-24, and Rs 1,964.09 lakh in 2024-25, while Ramban generated Rs 2,722.86 lakh, Rs 2,545.58 lakh, and Rs 2,702.16 lakh respectively during the same period.
In Rajouri, revenue was Rs 5,887.27 lakh in 2022-23 and Rs 5,268.78 lakh in 2023-24, but saw a sharp jump to Rs 15,232.04 lakh in 2024-25, with 18 wine shops and 25 bars.
Poonch generated Rs 2,254.91 lakh in 2022-23, which dipped to Rs 1,617.37 lakh in 2023-24, before slightly improving to Rs 1,889.92 lakh in 2024-25.
In the Kashmir division, Srinagar recorded Rs 3,086.77 lakh in 2022-23, which more than doubled to Rs 7,360.17 lakh in 2023-24 and increased further to Rs 7,632.90 lakh in 2024-25, with 7 wine shops and 4 bars currently operational.
Anantnag generated Rs 162.50 lakh in 2022-23, rising sharply to Rs 1,403.50 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 1,999.95 lakh in 2024-25, despite having only two wine shops and no bars.
In Baramulla, revenue increased from Rs 418.07 lakh in 2022-23 to Rs 1,147.23 lakh in 2023-24, while Rs 1,135.84 lakh was recorded in 2024-25. Ganderbal generated Rs 170.14 lakh, Rs 223.44 lakh, and Rs 319.69 lakh respectively over the three years.
Kupwara had no liquor outlets in 2022-23, but recorded Rs 415.66 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 442.96 lakh in 2024-25 with one wine shop.
The government further informed that Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Budgam and Kulgam had no bars or wine shops during the last three financial years.