CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launches special incentive scheme to promote orthodox tea

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ceremonially launched Assam Tea Industries Special Incentive Scheme (ATISIS), 2020 in a programme held at Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati on Sunday.

ATISIS is aimed at boosting the production of orthodox or speciality tea in the State by extending incentives to the tea gardens. Noteworthy that under the scheme, the government will provide interest subvention of 3 per cent on the working capital loan per annum subject to a maximum of Rs 20 lakhs apart from, orthodox or speciality tea production subsidy of Rs 7 per kg, 25 per cent subsidy for Orthodox & Specialty Tea Unit for Plant & Machinery subject to a maximum of Rs 30 lakhs and Agricultural Income Tax Holiday for 3 years.

Tea manufacturing units, manufacturing either orthodox tea or speciality tea will be eligible for the scheme, which will apply only to the units located in Assam. This Scheme is applicable for three years.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the scheme is launched to give a renewed push to the production of orthodox tea to establish a balance between orthodox and CTC tea production.

The new scheme will also help the tea gardens to overcome the present stressed situation, the CM added. Further informing that the Assam government gears up to enhance the social security network of the tea garden population, the Chief Minister said that plans are afoot to gradually take over the existing health and educational institutions of the tea estates to ensure holistic development of the tea garden population. He also said that the state government plans to bring in reform to maximize the use of land resources available in the tea gardens.

He further said that the State government is working to provide tap water connection in every tea garden house under Jal Jeevan Mission by December 2024.The CM also spoke about the need for extensive promotion of Assam Tea at the international level, stated a release.

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