Cabinet clears excise policy, discusses LG’s address to Assembly

Srinagar: The Cabinet on Thursday cleared and the Excise Policy for 2026–27, sources disclosed.
Sources said that the Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at civil secretariat Jammu this morning to discuss key administrative proposals.
According to sources, the Cabinet cleared the annual Excise Policy 2026–27, which is expected to generate additional revenue of Rs 127 crore. As per the proposal approved by the Cabinet, no new vends will be opened.
Sources said the cabinet also discussed the address to be delivered by the Lieutenant Governor on February 2, the first day of the Budget Session of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly.
As per Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act-2019, the LG shall address the Assembly at the commencement of the first session of each year.
The Cabinet further authorized the Tourism Department and the Public Works (R&B) Department to sign the extended Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BRO/Project Beacon on behalf of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, for completion of pending works on the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra track.
Besides, the Cabinet is understood to have given its nod to the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to undertake Operation and Management (O&M) activities of the proposed Urban Water Transport System on the River Jhelum.
The Cabinet also gave its nod for the construction of a residential school for the wards of the pastoral population at Doombwani in Shopian district. The school will be built at a cost of Rs 27 crore, sources said