JKEL3 :- The licence is granted for retail vend of foreign liquor in hotel. This licence is granted for a period of one year i.e up 31st March with annual Licence Fee.

JKEL4:- This licence is granted for retail vend of foreign liquor in bar attached to a restaurant or cinema or theatre of dak-bunglaw. This licence is granted for a period of one year i.e up 31st March with annual Licence Fee.

Both JKEL3 and JKEL4 licencee have to maintain regular and proper accounts of receipt and sales in Form E-14 and shall also maintain a brand wise register. The licencee cannot sold liquor other than foreign liquor/beer. The license shall sell foreign liquor including beer in retail for consumption on the licensed premises only and no liquor shall be removed from licensed premises for any purpose whatsoever. The licensee cannot sold liquor other than foreign liquor, JK Desi Whisky, Beer and liquor liquor purchased within the State fee of duty or on payment of duty at concessional rates or otherwise from the Canteen Stores Department (India ) Depot., the canteens run by any Army authority or para military units or any other similar organization. Every licensee have to pay Additional Licence Fee as per the current SRO.

Grant of JKEL-3/JKEL-4 Licence in Hotels:On site Consumption Licences

Department grants licence to hotels which are holding star classification and approval of Department of Tourism, which are considered necessary for grant of Licence in form JKEL-3. JKEL-3 license empowers the hotel for service of foreign liquor to the residents in their rooms.

These hotels can also seek separate Licence in form JKEL-4 for service of liquor in exclusive bar and in the restaurant / bar in the hotel premises. The service of liquor is restricted to specified premises of bar and restaurant only. The hotel is required to submit application on its letter head accompanied by the following documents :- · 

Documentary proof regarding legal status of the hotel i.e. whether it is a company, partnership firm etc. ·

Whether the hotel is in legal possession of the plot/land. ·  

Completion certificate in respect of the hotel building. ·   

The applicant is required to submit lay out plan of the hotel, site plan of the licence outlets and the liquor stores · 

Proof of Department of Tourism. Govt of India indicating the project approval and also recommendation for grant of JKEL-3/JKEL-4 license


The applicant hotel is required to submit application to the Commissioner of Excise through Dy Commissioner Excise Executive Jammu/Srinagar. After scrutiny of the papers submitted and the same having been found to be in accordance with the rules, the hotel premises is inspected by the concerned Excise Officer from the department who submits report to the licence granting authority. The inspection as above is to determine status of the premises under the Excise rules of the J&K Intoxicants Licence and Sales Rules, 1984.

Once the hotel has been found to be suitable for grant of licence, the views of the public/residents are invited on the proposal giving them 7 days time in this regard to file objections before the licensing authority. This is done through pasting of notices . After no objection has been received, the competent authority proceeds with approval for grant of licence. After approval, the hotel is required to submit fees as prescribed under the rules. On deposit of the same, licence is issued to the hotel. JKEL-4 Licence for exclusive bar/restaurant within the hotel is granted in conjunction with L-3 Licence only and requirements listed above also apply for grant of JKEL-4 Licence