JAMMU: The Office of Chief Minister J&K today dismissed reports claiming an increase in liquor vends in the region, calling them fake and baseless.

The Office of Chief Minister J&K wrote on X, "No new liquor vends are being advertised or allotted by my government. TV channels & news portals should immediately stop peddling this lie."

The statement reiterated that the number of wine shops (JKEL-2 vends) remains unchanged at 305 since FY 2023-24, with 291 in Jammu and 14 in Kashmir. It further clarified that the ongoing e-auction process pertains to the existing vends, with 271 already allotted and 34 set for re-auction on March 17, 2025.

The CM's office urged media outlets to verify facts before publishing such reports and directed the public to refer to the Excise Department's official website (https://jkexcise.nic.in) for accurate information.