July 5, 2021: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday launched the Assam Tea Industries Special Incentive Scheme (ATISIS), 2020 to boost the production of orthodox or speciality tea in the State by giving incentives to tea gardens.
The Chief Minister said that though Assam mostly produces CTC tea, the scheme is launched to give a push to production of orthodox tea to establish a balance between the two.
The new scheme will also help the tea gardens to overcome the present stressed situation, the CM added.
The features of the scheme include:
- Interest subvention of 3% on working capital loan per annum subject to a maximum of Rs 20 lakh
- Orthodox/speciality tea production subsidy of Rs 7/kg
- 20% subsidy for orthodox and speciality tea units for plant & machinery subject to maximum of Rs 30 lakh
- Agricultural Income Tax Holiday for 3 years
As per the eligibility criteria for the selection:
- Tea manufacturing units in Assam, manufacturing:
i. Orthodox Tea
ii. Speciality tea including Green tea, Oolong Tea, white tea, Yellow tea & Purple tea
- The scheme is applicable for a period of 3 years
Assam Government also plans to gradually take over existing health and educational institutions of tea estates to ensure holistic development of tea gardens, the CM said.
He added that the Govt also plans to bring in reform to maximise use of land resources available in tea gardens.
The Chief Minister further stated that the State Govt is working to provide tap water connection to every tea garden house under Jal Jeevan Mission by December 2024.
He announced that the government plans to provide gas pipeline connection to every tea garden house of upper Assam districts.
