Jammu: Major grocery shops and departmental stores in Jammu, Srinagar and other major towns of 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 for authorizing departmental stores to sell beer and other Ready to Drink (RTD) beverages in urban areas.
Besides beer, the list of ready of drink beverages is long and may include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The non-alcoholic drinks may include ice-tea, chocolate milk, energy drinks etc while alcoholic drinks may include hard lemonade, hard cola and vodka etc.
According to an official spokesman, the Administrative Council approved incorporation of liberal provisions in Jammu and Kashmir Liquor License and Sale Rules, 1984 and Excise Policy, 2023-24 for grant of License JKEL-2A for retail sale of Beer and Ready to Drink (RTD) beverages in Departmental Stores in urban areas of Union Territory.
The Departmental Stores in a Commercial Complex, approved by the competent authority, fulfilling conditions like having total carpet area of minimum 1200 (One Thousand Two Hundred) Sq. Feet, annual turnover of minimum 5 Crores in Jammu and Srinagar Cities and 2 Crores for stores in other urban areas will be eligible under the scheme. Moreover, chain of Departmental Stores having annual turnover of more than Rs.10 Crores will be eligible to apply for separate licenses for each of its Store.
The Departmental store should have been inexistence for at least 12 months prior to the date of application. However, this condition shall not be applicable in case of a new/recently opened Departmental Store belonging to a chain of Departmental Stores having annual turnover of more than Rs. 10 Crores.
Further the departmental stores should be selling a minimum of six of the category of items including 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 License shall be considered for Departmental Stores functioning at Petrol Pumps as per the said decision.
