According to reports, the Jammu and Kashmir Excise Policy for the year 2024-25 has been approved, allowing for online auctions of liquor vends across the region. The Administrative Council, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, granted approval for the implementation of the policy, outlining various fees and duties related to the manufacturing, transport, import, and export of liquor.

• The policy introduces online auctions for the allotment of vends, requiring bidders to pay a registration fee of INR 50,000 through the portal.
• The winning bidder must deposit 100 percent of the bid amount via the eGRAS/Easy Collect portal within seven banking days from the finalization of the bid.
• Vends that are not allotted due to reasons such as social pressure, court orders, non-availability of premises, or lack of bids will be subject to re-auction.
• A new initiative linking the minimum reserve bid price with the sale potential of each vend has been approved.
• A lower cap of 15 percent of the Maximum Selling Price (MSP) of liquor for on-premises consumption has been set. Excise Duty on CSD/PAMF (Canteen Stores Department/Police Alcohol Manufacturing Factories) will continue to be 25 percent less than that on civil for all types of liquor manufactured in Jammu and Kashmir, and import duty will remain 15 percent less than that on civil for all liquor brands.
• The policy emphasises complete digitalisation in liquor manufacturing, distribution, and sale, ensuring a streamlined process from production to retail consumption. Licensees selling liquor above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) will face fines of INR 40,000 for the first offense and INR 75,000 for the second offense.
• Additionally, there are provisions for obtaining property certificates and solvency certificates within specified timelines.