SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Excise Department has dismissed reports circulating on social media about an alleged increase in the number of liquor vends in the Union Territory, calling the claims “fake and baseless.”
In an official statement, the department clarified that under the J&K Excise Policy for 2025-26, notified via SO 38 on 15 February 2025, a total of 305 wine shops were put up for e-auction. Following the completion of the bidding process, 271 vends were successfully allotted to H1 bidders through an auction conducted by J&K Bank. The remaining 34 locations, which were not allotted in the initial round, have been put up for re-auction, with the bidding process scheduled to conclude on 17 March 2025.
The department further emphasised that the total number of JKEL-2 vends (wine shops) has remained unchanged at 305 since the financial year 2023-24. The current distribution stands at 291 vends in Jammu and 14 in Kashmir, with no additions in either region.
Officials urged the public to verify information from official sources, stating that all details regarding the Excise Policy and the location of liquor vends are available on the department’s official website.
