Demonstrations have started against the opening of 45 new liquor shops in the Jammu division under the Excise Policy 2022-23. There are 228 liquor shops in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 224 shops are in the Jammu division and only four shops in the Kashmir division. Under the Excise Policy 2022-23, the state administration has decided to open liquor shops in 51 new places and these 228 shops in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 45 shops are to be opened in the Jammu division. E-auctions will be held for these shops in March, and shops will open from April 1.
On Wednesday, members of the Jammu West Assembly Movement demonstrated in the New Plot area in protest against this proposal of the Excise Department. Accusing Jammu of making the temple city a stronghold of liquor, the movement’s head Sunil Dimple said that on the one hand, the government is doing big things to keep the youth away from drugs and on the other hand, it is continuously increasing the liquor shops. Is.
Sunil Dimple demanded a complete ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir and said that drug addiction is hollowing out the young generation and society of Jammu, it should be banned completely. Warning of widespread agitation in the opening of 45 new liquor shops in the Jammu division, Sunil Dimple said that if the Excise Department does not withdraw its proposal, then a mass movement will be launched against it in the coming days. Dimple said that the liquor license holders opened liquor shops in the streets, and there was widespread opposition last year. This time too, people will oppose it and will not allow Jammu, the city of temples, to become a stronghold of liquor.
