Srinagar, Nov 7: Allegations of wine shops charging hundreds of rupees above authorised prices in Srinagar’s Dalgate area have triggered complaints from tourists and local consumers, raising questions over the enforcement of retail pricing regulations by the Excise Department.

Several consumers alleged that certain wine shops were charging between ₹700 and ₹800 extra on selected liquor bottles, allegedly taking advantage of tourists unfamiliar with local prices.
A tourist, Vikram, who had travelled to Kashmir from Maharashtra, termed the practice blatant exploitation and called for stricter monitoring of liquor outlets.
He alleged that tourists visiting the Valley for holidays were being made to pay exorbitant prices and urged the authorities to establish an effective mechanism to prevent overcharging.
Local consumers have also expressed concern, although some are reluctant to raise the issue publicly because of the social sensitivities surrounding liquor consumption in the Muslim-majority Valley.
Consumers maintain that such sensitivities should not prevent regulatory action, as every buyer is entitled to be charged the authorised retail price, irrespective of whether they are tourists or residents.
The allegations have put the Excise Department under scrutiny, with consumers questioning the frequency of inspections, the action taken on complaints and the penalties imposed on shops violating prescribed rates.
When contacted, Excise Taxation Officer Danishwar Shafi said action would be taken against wine shops found overcharging customers. He said the department had already imposed fines on a couple of outlets for such violations.
Concerned Inspector Mudasir Nazir also said a team would be deployed to curb the practice and ensure that consumers were not charged beyond authorised prices.
However, consumers say occasional fines and assurances are insufficient to address the problem. They have called for regular inspections, prominent display of approved prices, mandatory billing for every purchase and an accessible complaint mechanism.
They have also urged the department to disclose the number of complaints received, establishments penalised and fines imposed, while ensuring stricter action against repeat offenders.
The allegations are particularly concerning in Dalgate, a busy tourist area frequented by visitors from across the country. Arbitrary pricing, if established, could undermine consumer confidence and affect the Valley’s tourism experience.
Consumers say the department must ensure that licensed outlets strictly follow prescribed rates and that violations are dealt with promptly. The issue, they maintain, is not merely about the price of a liquor bottle but also about consumer rights and regulatory accountability.