Even as some politicians have been demanding a ban on the sale of liquor in the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir government collected revenue of ₹1,118 crore in the financial year 2024–25, marking an increase of ₹79 crore compared to the previous financial year, 2023–24.
In a written reply to MLA Arjun Singh Raju, the Finance Department said there is no proposal to open new JKEL-2 wine shops in the coming financial year. However, figures tabled in the House show that receipts from the existing network of outlets have recorded a steady rise across all districts.
Combined revenue from the 15 districts stood at ₹1,038.78 crore in 2023–24 and ₹1,118.16 crore in 2024–25, taking the two-year total to ₹2,156.94 crore. The year-on-year increase works out to ₹79.38 crore, reflecting growth of around 7.6 per cent.
The Jammu division accounted for the overwhelming share of collections. The 10 districts of Jammu together generated ₹954.74 crore in 2023–24 and ₹1,013.56 crore in 2024–25, taking their two-year combined revenue to ₹1,968.30 crore and recording a yearly rise of ₹58.83 crore.
In comparison, the five districts of the Kashmir division earned ₹84.05 crore in 2023–24 and ₹104.60 crore in 2024–25, totalling ₹188.65 crore over two years, with a sharper year-on-year increase of ₹20.55 crore.
Jammu district remained the single largest contributor by a wide margin. It generated ₹483.50 crore in 2023–24 and ₹509.14 crore in 2024–25, taking the two-year total to ₹992.64 crore, with an increase of ₹25.64 crore in one year.
Among other districts in the Jammu division, Udhampur recorded ₹113.22 crore and ₹120.62 crore, totalling ₹233.84 crore, an increase of ₹7.40 crore. Kathua earned ₹106.53 crore and ₹112.72 crore, totalling ₹219.25 crore, up by ₹6.19 crore. Samba reported ₹91.38 crore and ₹97.40 crore, totalling ₹188.78 crore, an increase of ₹6.02 crore.
Rajouri posted ₹48.06 crore and ₹53.37 crore, totalling ₹101.43 crore, an increase of ₹5.31 crore. Reasi generated ₹33.71 crore and ₹34.51 crore, totalling ₹68.22 crore, up by ₹0.80 crore. Doda earned ₹23.54 crore and ₹24.48 crore, totalling ₹48.02 crore, an increase of ₹0.94 crore. Kishtwar recorded ₹16.82 crore and ₹18.88 crore, totalling ₹35.70 crore, up by ₹2.06 crore. Ramban posted ₹23.00 crore and ₹24.77 crore, totalling ₹47.77 crore, an increase of ₹1.77 crore, while Poonch earned ₹14.98 crore and ₹17.69 crore, totalling ₹32.67 crore, up by ₹2.71 crore.
In the Kashmir division, Srinagar led collections with ₹54.90 crore in 2023–24 and ₹65.58 crore in 2024–25, taking the two-year total to ₹120.48 crore, with the highest increase of ₹10.68 crore in the region. Anantnag recorded ₹14.04 crore and ₹19.99 crore, totalling ₹34.03 crore, up by ₹5.96 crore. Baramulla generated ₹8.72 crore and ₹11.40 crore, totalling ₹20.12 crore, an increase of ₹2.68 crore. Kupwara posted ₹4.16 crore and ₹4.43 crore, totalling ₹8.59 crore, up by ₹0.27 crore, while Ganderbal earned ₹2.23 crore and ₹3.20 crore, totalling ₹5.43 crore, an increase of ₹0.96 crore.
The figures show that nearly every district registered growth in revenue over the year, indicating higher sales as well as improved compliance and monitoring by the Excise Department.
Addressing concerns raised in the Assembly, the government said it has received no complaints regarding benami liquor licences, adding that all licences are issued strictly to Jammu and Kashmir domiciles under the Excise Act, 1958, and the excise policies notified from time to time.
No new liquor shops in J&K
While revenue continues to rise, the administration has made it clear that the expansion of outlets is not on the agenda, signalling a focus on strengthening collections from existing shops rather than increasing their number.
The J&K government said there was no proposal under consideration to open new wine shops. It reiterated that all liquor shop licences have been issued to J&K domiciles, while furnishing figures showing substantial revenue generated from liquor sales across districts.
The information was shared in a written reply to a question by MLA Arjun Singh Raju. Responding to the query on new wine shops, the Finance Department said that "as of now, there is no proposal to open new JKEL-2 liquor licences during the financial year 2026–27."
Politicians demand a ban on liquor in J&K
Earlier in year 2025, several political parties backed the call for a liquor ban in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2025, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) launched a signature campaign to press for a ban on alcohol in the Union Territory.
PDP MLA from North Kashmir, Fayaz Mir, had submitted a private members' bill seeking a ban on liquor in J&K.
Additionally, the Awami Ittehad Party, led by jailed Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, stated that its MLA, Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, had also submitted a bill demanding a complete alcohol ban. Similarly, Ahsan Pardeshi, an MLA from the ruling National Conference representing Srinagar's Lal Chowk, announced that he, too, had submitted a bill for a liquor ban.
