To beat drugs, Ladakh opens up for liquor

SRINAGAR: Liquor will now be available in Ladakh, where only beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages were permitted so far for retail sale through vends, except in Leh where there was no partial prohibition.

Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the new excise policy for the UT which “aims at curbing the growing dependence on narcotics and drugs and giving people a wider choice of low alcoholic content liquor in Ladakh region”.

To improve accessibility and ensure regulated availability, 20 liquor vends will be opened through e-auction. Earlier, only two liquor vends were operational in Ladakh.

A govt statement said the new policy comes after extensive meetings with civil society organisations, NGOs, religious organisations, public representatives and officials in recent months.