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For at least a decade, Ladakh’s excise policy allowed only two liquor shops in the cold desert region. The shops, both in Leh, were allowed to sell only beer and wine.

Last month, the Ladakh administration announced a drastic rehaul of rules. The new excise policy, notified on May 31, for the first time permits the sale of hard liquor in the Union territory. It also announced that 20 more liquor stores would be opened in the whole of Ladakh.

Not only that, guest houses and homestays have also been allowed to retail liquor – permission for which was granted exclusively to hotels till now.

The Ladakh administration’s justification for the new policy has drawn as much attention as the restructuring of rules. It is aimed, the government said, at curbing drug addiction in the Union territory.

The new excise policy “primarily aims to curb the growing dependence on narcotics and drugs and provide people with a wider choice of low alcoholic content liquor in the Ladakh region”, according to a statement issued by the office of Ladakh Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena.

The policy has come under fire from leading civil society groups in Ladakh, who are currently engaged in tense negotiations with the Centre for greater autonomy. “It...

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