Full Breakdown
Ladakh Administration Refutes Sonam Wangchuk’s Liquor Policy Allegations
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In this breakdown
01
Core Dispute Over Liquor Outlets
The Ladakh Union Territory Administration responded that the statements are “false, baseless and totally imaginary,” insisting that only a single liquor shop is operational across the region.
02
Background & Context
The administration introduced an Excise Policy 2026-27 through S.O. 198 on June 1, 2026, proposing to increase standalone liquor outlets from two to twenty. Following written objections and public feedback, the Lieutenant Governor withdrew the policy on August 26, 2026 and restored the earlier Excise Policy 2025-26 (originally notified on April 4, 2025). Under the restored policy, two liquor shops were permitted in Leh’s Ward 4 and Ward 6; an auction on October 14, 2026 resulted in a shop opening only in Ward 6, while Ward 4 received no bids.
03
Data & Statistics
- One liquor shop is currently operational in the entire Union Territory (Ward 6, Leh).
- 50 retail liquor vends attached to restaurants operate across Ladakh: 38 in Leh, 7 in Nubra, 3 in Zanskar, and 2 in Changthang.
- Two beer bars are functioning in Leh.
- Nine hotels in Leh hold liquor licences, with four licences issued in the current year; one hotel in Nubra also received a licence this year.
All licences are said to be issued according to prescribed norms and distance criteria from highways, religious sites and educational institutions.
04
Official Statements & Responses
The administration’s press release emphasized that the proposal to open additional wine shops was withdrawn and the auction notice cancelled. The department also highlighted that licensing follows established distance rules, which apply equally to hotels.
05
Criticism & Opposition
Wangchuk maintained that the administration is “firing alcohol cannons” to combat drug abuse and that the policy change disregards widespread public opposition.
06
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Lieutenant Governor identity: Most statements attribute the rollback to Vinai Kumar Saxena, while a subset of reports name Manoj Sinha as the official who reversed the policy.
- Protest size: Wangchuk cited “500 to 1,000 women” protesting, but the administration has not provided an independent count, leaving the exact number unverified.
07
Verbatim Quotes
- “The statement of Mr Wangchuk that ‘Ladakh mein sharab ko zabardasti badhaya ja raha hai’ (Alcohol is being forcibly promoted in Ladakh) is totally false and misleading,” — the administration