J&K Assembly admits bill seeking ban on liquor consumption

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today admitted a private member's bill seeking ban on manufacture, advertisement, sale, purchase and consumption of liquor in the state.
The bill introduced by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Abdul Haq Khan could be a setback to the liquor industry, a major source of the state's revenue.
The bill (No. 15 of 2014) seeks "to prohibit the manufacture, advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, import and export of alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir".
Speaking on the bill, Finance Minister Abdul Rahil Rather said, "The issue was also raised previously in the House. There should be discussion on it."

Despite opposition, another bill jointly moved by ruling National Conference MLA Nasir Aslam Wani and PDP member Abdul Rehman Veeri to increase pension of former state legislature members was admitted by a voice vote.
Rather said "the government is opposing the bill", but it was admitted through a voice vote.
The Assembly also admitted two other bills - one moved by Charanjit Singh seeking amendment of the Jammu and Kashmir Requisitioning and Acquisition of immovable Property Act of 1968 and another regarding the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir (Amendment) Bill, 2014 moved by Veeri.