Major grocery shops and departmental stores in Jammu, Srinagar and other major towns in Jammu and Kashmir may soon sell beer and other ready-to-drink beverages over the counters.
The Administrative Council of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, which met in Srinagar last week, has approved the proposal to authorise departmental stores to sell beer and other ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages in urban areas.
Besides beer, the list of ready-to-drink beverages may include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Non-alcoholic drinks may include iced tea, chocolate milk, energy drinks, etc., while alcoholic drinks may include hard lemonade, hard cola and vodka etc.
According to an official spokesperson, the Administrative Council approved the incorporation of liberal provisions in Jammu and Kashmir Liquor License and Sale Rules, 1984 and Excise Policy, 2023-24 for the grant of License JKEL-2A for the retail sale of beer and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages in departmental stores in urban areas of the Union Territory.
The Departmental Stores in a Commercial Complex, approved by the competent authority, fulfilling conditions like having a total carpet area of a minimum of 1200 square feet, an annual turnover of a minimum ₹5 crores in Jammu and Srinagar cities, and ₹2 crores for stores in other urban areas, will be eligible under the scheme.
Moreover, a chain of departmental stores having an annual turnover of more than ₹10 crores will be eligible to apply for separate licences for each of its stores.
The departmental store should have been in existence for at least 12 months prior to the date of application. However, this condition shall not be applicable in the case of a new/recently opened departmental store belonging to a chain of departmental stores having an annual turnover of more than ₹10 crores.
Further, the departmental stores should be selling a minimum of six of the following categories of items: Grocery Items; Frozen Foods; Confectionery/Bakery Items; Toiletries; Cosmetics; Household Goods; Utensils/kitchenware; Sports Items; Electrical/Electronic Appliances; Apparels and Stationery. In addition, no application for the grant of licence shall be considered for departmental stores functioning at petrol pumps as per the said decision.