Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 13: Jammu & Kashmir’s Old Wine Traders, who had been in the wine trade for decades, appealed to all political parties to address the cancellation of their liquor licenses under the new excise policy, which they claim has devastated their livelihoods.
Addressing a press conference, Charanjeet Singh (spokesperson, J&K Old Wine Traders), accompanied by several other Old Wine Traders said, “Before the policy shift in 2021, 223 JKEL-2 licenses were issued to unemployed youth across the region, including widows, disabled individuals, and senior citizens, allowing them to earn a dignified income. This system helped sustain over 350 families directly and an additional 1,200 families indirectly.”
The wine traders argue that the new policy, which replaced the old system with an auction-based licensing process, has led to the monopolization of the liquor trade. They allege that only a handful of contractors now control the entire business, creating what they describe as a “liquor cartel” and causing substantial overpricing. They further alleged that contractors are charging Rs 10 extra per quarter, Rs 20 more per half, and between Rs 40 and Rs 50 per bottle, leading to both consumer exploitation and revenue loss for the Government.
Prior to the auction system, the traders claim, they were contributing 20-30% more in revenue annually to the Government. The shift in policy, they said, has not only hurt their businesses but also reduced Government revenue, despite the promise of increased efficiency through auctions. They insist the previous system was more transparent and better for both the state and the traders involved.
As the J&K Assembly elections approach, the Old Wine Traders urged political parties to take up their cause and restore the old licensing system. They emphasized that hundreds of families have been left struggling with no other source of income and promise to back any party that addresses their plight. The traders argued that reviving the previous system will benefit the state, eliminate cartelization, and restore their livelihoods.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
