Liquor Sales Fetch ₹3,450 Cr in Three Years
Jammu, Feb 10: 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 across J&K generated over ₹3,450 crore in revenue during the last three financial years.
The clarification was given in a written reply to an Assembly question tabled by MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia. As per the reply, accessed through news agency, the government cautioned that prohibition could trigger liquor smuggling from neighbouring States and UTs, encourage illegal distillation, strengthen liquor mafias and pose serious public health risks.
The government also warned that enforcing prohibition could adversely impact tourism, hospitality, transport and manufacturing sectors, besides affecting the livelihoods of thousands of people associated with the liquor trade.
Jammu District Tops Revenue Chart
Jammu district emerged as the highest revenue generator. In 2022–23, the district had 140 wine shops and 84 bars, earning ₹51,262.41 lakh. The number rose to 151 wine shops and 93 bars in 2023–24 with revenue of ₹50,826.31 lakh. In 2024–25, Jammu recorded the highest revenue of ₹52,292.83 lakh with 153 wine shops and 97 bars.
Steady Growth in Kathua, Samba and Udhampur
Kathua generated ₹12,367.06 lakh in 2022–23 with 28 wine shops and 33 bars, ₹12,217.17 lakh in 2023–24 from 33 wine shops and 36 bars, and ₹12,694.98 lakh in 2024–25 with 31 wine shops and 37 bars.
Samba’s revenue rose steadily from ₹8,229.14 lakh in 2022–23 to ₹9,825.74 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹10,299.42 lakh in 2024–25, with wine shops increasing from 14 to 19.
Udhampur reported consistent growth, earning ₹10,777.00 lakh in 2022–23, ₹12,410.00 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹12,987.50 lakh in 2024–25, supported by 26–28 wine shops and 22–25 bars.
Moderate Earnings in Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban
Reasi earned ₹3,125.00 lakh in 2022–23, ₹3,375.00 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹3,450.50 lakh in 2024–25, with wine shops increasing from six to eleven, though bars were reduced to zero in the latest year.
Doda’s revenue remained largely stable at ₹2,545.01 lakh in 2022–23, ₹2,696.85 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹2,685.29 lakh in 2024–25, with 10 wine shops and three bars throughout.
Kishtwar recorded growth from ₹1,216.76 lakh in 2022–23 to ₹1,731.39 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹1,964.09 lakh in 2024–25, while Ramban generated ₹2,722.86 lakh, ₹2,545.58 lakh and ₹2,702.16 lakh respectively during the same period.
Rajouri Sees Sharp Jump
Rajouri witnessed a sharp spike in 2024–25, with revenue jumping to ₹15,232.04 lakh from ₹5,887.27 lakh in 2022–23 and ₹5,268.78 lakh in 2023–24. The district currently has 18 wine shops and 25 bars.
Poonch earned ₹2,254.91 lakh in 2022–23, dipped to ₹1,617.37 lakh in 2023–24, and marginally improved to ₹1,889.92 lakh in 2024–25.
Limited Liquor Footprint in Kashmir Division
In the Kashmir division, Srinagar generated ₹3,086.77 lakh in 2022–23, which more than doubled to ₹7,360.17 lakh in 2023–24 and rose further to ₹7,632.90 lakh in 2024–25, with seven wine shops and four bars operational.
Anantnag recorded ₹162.50 lakh in 2022–23, rising sharply to ₹1,403.50 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹1,999.95 lakh in 2024–25, despite having only two wine shops and no bars.
Baramulla’s revenue increased from ₹418.07 lakh in 2022–23 to ₹1,147.23 lakh in 2023–24, while ₹1,135.84 lakh was recorded in 2024–25. Ganderbal earned ₹170.14 lakh, ₹223.44 lakh and ₹319.69 lakh over the three years.
Kupwara had no liquor outlets in 2022–23 but recorded ₹415.66 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹442.96 lakh in 2024–25 with a single wine shop.
The government further informed the House that Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Budgam and Kulgam had no bars or wine shops during the last three financial years. (Agencies)
