The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) has welcomed the Assam Government’s revised Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme (ATISIS), 2020, describing it as a major step towards strengthening the state’s tea industry and enhancing the role of the Guwahati auction system in domestic and international markets.
The revised scheme, notified on September 18, introduces a ₹3 per kg export incentive for Single Origin Assam Quality CTC Tea. The incentive aims to offset the higher logistics costs faced by Assam’s tea industry, including inland transportation, container repositioning and terminal handling expenses associated with being a landlocked state.
A key feature of the revised policy is the recognition of CTC tea sold through the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre as “Quality CTC Tea”, making GTAC-linked teas eligible for the new export incentive. Industry stakeholders believe this will encourage greater participation in the organized auction system and improve Assam tea’s competitiveness in global markets.
The revised ATISIS also includes several other benefits for tea producers. The subsidy for Orthodox and Speciality Tea production has been increased from ₹10 per kg to ₹15 per kg, while the maximum annual incentive claim has been raised to ₹1 crore per tea unit or estate.
The scheme has also officially included Matcha Tea under its ambit, increased the working capital interest subvention limit from ₹15 lakh to ₹20 lakh, and extended the validity of the policy until March 31, 2031.
Industry representatives said the recognition given to GTAC under the new scheme is expected to strengthen the position of Guwahati, one of the world’s largest CTC tea auction centres, and support Assam’s growing tea export sector.
The tea trade fraternity expressed gratitude to the Government of Assam for introducing the revised policy and also appreciated the efforts of the Chairman of GTAC in advancing the interests of the auction platform through various developmental initiatives.
The statement was issued by Dinesh Bihani, Secretary of the Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers Association.