JAMMU, MARCH 12 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Excise Department today strongly rebutted the news being circulated on various social media platforms regarding the increase in number of vends (Wine Shops) in Jammu & Kashmir, terming it as fake and baseless.

A communication issued by the department in this regard stated that “As per J&K Excise Policy for the year 2025-26 notified vide SO 38 dated 15th February, 2025, 305 number of vends (Wine Shops) were put to e-auction on 15.02.2025 and after culmination of the bidding process, 271 vends got allotted through the e-auction process (which was conducted by J&K Bank) to the successful H1 bidders and rest of 34 locations are being put to re-auction through Public Notice Issued on 07.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel03.2025 and bidding process (again to be conducted by the J&K Bank) shall be completed on 17.03.2025 for these 34 vends.”

The document further added that, “It is relevant to mention that the number of JKEL-2 vends (Wine Shops) remained unchanged i.e. 305, since FY 2023-24 and there is no increase in the number of vends, either in Jammu or in Kashmir. The break up of the vends (Wine Shops) is: Jammu-291 and Kashmir - 14).”

All details regarding the Excise Policy along with location of the vends (Wine Shops) etc is available on the official website of the Excise Department i.e. https://jkexcise.nic.in.(KNS)