Sachnews Jammu Kashmir
Srinagar, March 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly refuted claims about the increase in liquor vends in Jammu and Kashmir, calling such reports "fake and baseless."
Omar Abdullah clarified that under the J&K Excise Policy for 2025-26, notified via SO 38 dated 15th February 2025, the total number of liquor vends (wine shops) remains unchanged at 305—with 291 in Jammu and 14 in Kashmir. He emphasized that there is no increase in any vend either in Jammu or Kashmir.
Sharing his response on X (formerly Twitter), Omar Abdullah as per Sachnews wrote:
"NO NEW LIQUOR VENDS ARE BEING ADVERTISED OR ALLOTED BY MY GOVERNMENT. TV channels & news portals should immediately stop peddling this lie."
Further clarifying, he stated that 305 liquor vends were put to e-auction by J&K Bank on February 15, 2025, out of which 271 were allotted to successful bidders. The remaining 34 locations are set for re-auction on March 17, 2025.
The Excise Department has also confirmed that all details, including vend locations, are available on its official website (https://jkexcise.nic.in).
Omar Abdullah urged media outlets and social media users to verify facts before spreading misinformation, reiterating that reports of an increase in liquor vends in J&K are completely untrue.
Sachnews Jammu Kashmir