Jammu, Mar 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has firmly denied reports suggesting that his government is introducing new liquor vends in the Union Territory. Addressing the controversy, the CM asserted that no fresh allotments were being made and that the recent bidding process only involved the re-auctioning of previously allotted liquor vends.
Reacting to media reports that claimed the government had initiated bids for 83 new liquor shops, Abdullah took to social media platform X to set the record straight. “No new liquor vends are being advertised or allotted by my government. TV channels and news portals should immediately stop peddling this lie,” he posted.
In an official statement, the Chief Minister’s Office reiterated that under the J&K Excise Policy for 2025-26, issued on February 15, a total of 305 liquor vends were put up for e-auction. Following the completion of the bidding process, 271 vends were successfully allotted to the highest bidders. The remaining 34 locations are now up for re-auction through a public notice issued on March 7, with the final bidding scheduled for March 17.
The statement emphasized that the number of operational liquor vends, categorized as JKEL-2 vends, remains unchanged at 305 since the 2023-24 fiscal year. Currently, 291 vends operate in Jammu, while 14 are in Kashmir.
Strongly refuting the claims of any increase in the number of liquor vends, the government dismissed the circulating reports as “fake and baseless.” Officials reiterated that the auctioning process only applies to existing licenses and does not involve any expansion of liquor sales in the region.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns from various quarters, including social and religious groups, who have opposed any expansion of alcohol sales in Jammu and Kashmir. The government’s assertion aims to put an end to speculation and assure the public that no additional liquor outlets are being introduced in the region.