Muhammad Raafi
KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
State government Monday said it has issued 26 liquor wholesale licenses in Jammu and Kashmir, of which nine were issued to former legislators.
Of 26 wholesale liquor outlets, Jammu tops with 17, Leh 3 and Sambha 2; while Srinagar, Udhampur and Kathua have one each.
Interestingly, the government has also issued 20 liquor manufacturing licenses, only in Jammu.
Of the 26 liquor outlets, nine are owned by former legislators and their kins.
Dhian Chand (ex-MLA) owns M/s Shallu Bar at Kathua, Prem Sagar Aziz (ex-MLA) owns M/s Munish Wine Shop at Basohli, Bimla Luthra (ex-legislator) owns M/s Sanjay Luthra Wineshop at Subhash Nagar Jammu, Rajinder Singh (ex-legislator) owns M/s Kunal Chib wine shop at Janipur Jammu, Suram Singhh (ex-legislator) owns Munider Wine shop at Vikas Nagar Jammu, Ajatshatru Singh (ex-MLA) owns Hari Niwas Hotel at Palace Road Jammu and operates a bar therein, Harbans Singh (ex-legislator) owns M/s Ajit Paul Singh Wine Shop at Chatha Jammu, Parkash Sharma (ex-MLA) owns M/s Prince Bar at Sambha and P Namgyal (ex-MP) owns M/s Indus Enterprises at Leh.
Among the clubs and bars, Amar Singh Club, Jammu registered consumption of 5093 bottles of (Indian made foreign liquor) IMFL and 4306 bottles of beer in 2012-13. The club consumed 5051 bottles of IMFL and 4990 bottles of beer in 2013-14. In 2014-15, the club consumed 5019 bottles of IMFL and 5209 bottles of beer. Upto August 2015, the club had consumed 2076 bottles of IMFL, 3701 bottles of beer and 236 bottles of RTD (Ready to Drink).
Similarly, Jammu Tawi Golf Course (started in 05/15) consumed 34 bottles of IMFL, 445 bottles of beer and 66 bottles of RTD.
While as, Jammu Club consumed 9325 bottles of IMFL and 7235 bottles of beer in 2012-13; 8295 bottles of IMFL, 6024 bottles of beer and 406 bottles of RTD in 2013-14; 7614 bottles of IMFL, 6341 bottles of beer and 363 bottles of RTD in 2014-15 and 3941 bottles of IMFL, 4020 bottles of beer and 193 bottles of RTD upto August 2015.
While as the ‘booze-famed’ Press Club (Jammu) consumed 13412 bottles of IMFL and 10862 bottles of beer in 2012-13; 13429 bottles of IMFL, 10206 bottles of beer and 457 bottles of RTD in 2013-14; 12581 bottles of IMFL, 10272 bottles of beer and 455 bottles of RTD in 2014-15 and 4318 bottles of IMFL, 57212 bottles of beer and 127 bottles of RTD upto August this year.
In Kashmir, Amar Singh Club (Sonwar Srinagar) consumed 5070 bottles of IMFL in 2012-13, 3549 bottles in 2013-14, 2079 bottles in 2014-15 and 1474 bottles of IMFL upto August 2015.
Kashmir Golf Club, Srinagar consumed 1211, 3754, 3248 and 2210 bottles of IMFL respectively for the year 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015 (upto August).
Royal Springs Golf Club, Srinagar consumed 91, 185, 448 and 1195 bottles of IMFL for the year 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015 (upto August).
