Liquor shops in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are likely to reopen soon after intense pressure by liquor lobby regarding reopening of standalone retail liquor vends, sources said here. Sources told news agency, that the authorities have come under pressure to reopen liquor shops in the UT and to subside the pressure by liquor lobby a document of the proposal prepared by the finance department regarding reopening of the liquor shops was leaked on social media.
Sources said that the “unsigned document” was leaked intentionally from the office of Excise Commissioner which was under intense pressure from a liquor lobby for the opening of wine shops in J&K. They said that the document was leaked even before the SAC meeting to be chaired by Lt. Governor.
“The ‘unsigned document’ was leaked to give an indication to the liquor lobby that the Commissioner’s office is leaving no stone un-turned in pursuing the Government to open wine shops at the earliest which indicates nothing but the corruption tactics of Excise Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan to show his loyalty towards the members of liquor lobby,” sources added. It was also mentioned in the order that the Government is likely to impose additional 50% retail excise duty on Maximum Retail Price on IMFL/IFL, JK Special Whisky, Beer/RTD and Wine/Cider—(KNO)
