Jammu and Kashmir: Four months extension for NOC, bars opened from today

Giving a big relief to the bar owners, the Finance Department has extended the period for obtaining NOC by the next four months. Now he can take NOC till December. With this, permission has been given to open all 220 bars in Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday. On the orders of the court, these bars were closed by the Excise Department due to non-receipt of NOC.

For this, the Finance Department has given special powers for renewal to the Excise Commissioner by bringing a provision in the relevant section of the Jammu and Kashmir Act, 1958. In a notification issued by the Finance Department, the Excise Commissioner has been given special powers for the renewal process under SO 326, Section 3A, 12, 20 of the Jammu and Kashmir Act, Samvat 1958.

Under this, the commissioner can renew any license in special circumstances with the approval of the government till December 31 or any period beyond. However, there will be no renewal of the license of JK-EL-2 (liquor shop). Atal Dulu, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) of Finance Department said that this notification will give relief to the bar owners. They can complete the process of obtaining NOC within four months. Till then all the bars will be restored.