Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, Feb 10, 2026: 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 have generated over ₹3,450 crore in revenue during the last three financial years.
In a written reply to an Assembly question tabled by MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, the government stated that imposing prohibition could lead to increased smuggling from neighbouring States and UTs, growth of illegal distillation, strengthening of liquor mafias, and serious public health risks.
The government further warned that prohibition could have adverse effects on tourism, hospitality, transport and manufacturing sectors, besides putting the livelihoods of thousands of people associated with the liquor trade at stake.
Jammu District Tops Revenue Chart
Jammu district emerged as the highest revenue generator in the UT. In 2022–23, the district had 140 wine shops and 84 bars, generating revenue of ₹51,262.41 lakh.
In 2023–24, the number increased to 151 wine shops and 93 bars, with revenue of ₹50,826.31 lakh.
For 2024–25, Jammu recorded 153 wine shops and 97 bars, earning ₹52,292.83 lakh, the highest in J&K.
Kathua, Samba and Udhampur Show Consistent Growth
Kathua generated ₹12,367.06 lakh in 2022–23 with 28 wine shops and 33 bars. Revenue stood at ₹12,217.17 lakh in 2023–24 and rose to ₹12,694.98 lakh in 2024–25 with 31 wine shops and 37 bars.
Samba’s revenue increased steadily from ₹8,229.14 lakh in 2022–23 to ₹9,825.74 lakh in 2023–24 and further to ₹10,299.42 lakh in 2024–25, with wine shops increasing from 14 to 19.
In Udhampur, revenue rose from ₹10,777.00 lakh in 2022–23 to ₹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 Revenue in Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban
Reasi recorded revenues of ₹3,125.00 lakh in 2022–23, ₹3,375.00 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹3,450.50 lakh in 2024–25. While wine shops increased from 6 to 11, 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 3 bars throughout.
Kishtwar generated ₹1,216.76 lakh in 2022–23, rising to ₹1,731.39 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹1,964.09 lakh in 2024–25, while Ramban recorded ₹2,722.86 lakh, ₹2,545.58 lakh, and ₹2,702.16 lakh respectively over the three years.
Rajouri Sees Sharp Spike in 2024–25
Rajouri recorded ₹5,887.27 lakh in 2022–23 and ₹5,268.78 lakh in 2023–24, but witnessed a sharp jump to ₹15,232.04 lakh in 2024–25, with 18 wine shops and 25 bars.
Poonch generated ₹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 Presence in Kashmir Division
In the Kashmir division, Srinagar recorded revenue of ₹3,086.77 lakh in 2022–23, which more than doubled to ₹7,360.17 lakh in 2023–24 and increased further to ₹7,632.90 lakh in 2024–25, with 7 wine shops and 4 bars currently operational.
Anantnag generated ₹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 recorded ₹418.07 lakh in 2022–23, ₹1,147.23 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹1,135.84 lakh in 2024–25.
Ganderbal generated ₹170.14 lakh, ₹223.44 lakh and ₹319.69 lakh over the three years.
Kupwara, which had no liquor outlets in 2022–23, recorded ₹415.66 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹442.96 lakh in 2024–25 with one wine shop.
The government also informed the House that Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Budgam and Kulgam had no bars or wine shops during the last three financial years.
