Interest Subvention on Working Capital" under the "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme

Description
The "Interest Subvention on Working Capital" component of "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme ATISIS " by the Finance Institutional Finance Department, Government of Assam, aims to ensure long-term financial sustainability of the Tea industry and to incentivize manufacturers to move from Crush, Tear, Curl tea to Orthodox tea production. The component provides interest subvention on working capital loans at 3% per annum. The scheme is implemented by the Finance Department and the Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Assam, through multiple implementing agencies, including banks and the District Industries & Commerce Centre. The applications for this scheme are accepted online through a dedicated portal with a Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism for reimbursement.

Benefits
• Benefit Amount: Interest subvention of 3% per annum on Working Capital Loan.
• Maximum Claimable Amount: ₹20,00,000/- per annum per unit (garden).
• Validity Period: Extended for five years till the end of the Financial Year 2027-28.
• Applicable Financial Years: 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28.
• Disbursement Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer as reimbursement.
• Claim Period: On completion of every financial year.

Eligibility Criteria
1. **General Eligibility**
2. - The applicant must be a tea plantation across all sizes
3. - The applicant must be a tea manufacturing unit manufacturing Crush, Tear, Curl Tea, Orthodox Tea, or Speciality tea including Green tea, Oolong Tea, White tea, Yellow tea and Purple tea
4. - The applicant must be located entirely in Assam
5. - The applicant must not have any part of the plantation or manufacturing facility located outside the State of Assam
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7. **Interest Subvention Specific Eligibility**
8. - The applicant must have taken loan from a Scheduled Commercial Bank or a Public Financial Institution.
9. - The applicant must have taken Working Capital Loan for activities directly related to plantation or manufacturing of Tea.
10. - The applicant must have Working Capital sanctioned or renewed on or after 1st April of the financial year in which claim is to be made (2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28).
11. - The applicant must not have loan accounts declared as Non-Performing Asset as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines on the date of filing claim.
12. - The applicant must not have availed any interest subsidy under any other scheme.
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Application Process
Step 1: Registration Process
Online
Registration Process

Step 2: Step 1: Visit the dedicated portal of "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives" Scheme. Click on the "New User Registration" option.
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Step 1: Visit the dedicated portal of "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives" Scheme. Click on the "New User Registration" option.

Step 3: Step 2: In the registration form, fill in basic details including name, mobile number, and email address. Create a username and password following the portal's password policy. Verify your mobile number through one-time password verification. Comp…
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Step 2: In the registration form, fill in basic details including name, mobile number, and email address. Create a username and password following the portal's password policy. Verify your mobile number through one-time password verification. Complete Captcha Code verification. Submit the registration form.

Step 4: Step 3: Check your registered email for the account activation link. Click on the activation link to activate the account. Log in to the portal using registered credentials.
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Step 3: Check your registered email for the account activation link. Click on the activation link to activate the account. Log in to the portal using registered credentials.

Step 5: Step 4: Upload all supporting documents of eligibility in the prescribed format. Fill in complete unit details, including location, type of tea production, and capacity. Submit the unit registration form. Wait for registration approval.
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Application Process

Step 6: Step 1: Log in to the portal using registered credentials. Navigate to the "Apply for Benefits" section. Select the scheme component that you intend to apply for.
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Step 1: Log in to the portal using registered credentials. Navigate to the "Apply for Benefits" section. Select the scheme component that you intend to apply for.

Step 7: Step 2: Fill in the prescribed application form with all mandatory fields. Upload all supporting documents as mentioned in the portal. Ensure file formats and file size restrictions are followed as per the portal guidelines. Review all entered inf…
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Step 2: Fill in the prescribed application form with all mandatory fields. Upload all supporting documents as mentioned in the portal. Ensure file formats and file size restrictions are followed as per the portal guidelines. Review all entered information for accuracy.

Step 8: Step 3: Upload documents in the specified format and size. Ensure all documents are clear and legible. Complete document verification checklist.
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Step 3: Upload documents in the specified format and size. Ensure all documents are clear and legible. Complete document verification checklist.

Step 9: Step 4: Review the complete application before submission. Apply online.
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*Note down the application reference number. Save a copy of the submitted application form.
*Applicants are strongly encouraged to save a copy of the submitted application, confirmation message, and application reference number for future reference and tracking purposes.
Verification Process

Step 10: Step 1: Application is automatically routed to the concerned bank Bank verifies the amount of interest at 3%, borrower credentials, loan account classification as Standard, and interest servicing status. The Bank approves the application on the po…
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Step 1: Application is automatically routed to the concerned bank Bank verifies the amount of interest at 3%, borrower credentials, loan account classification as Standard, and interest servicing status. The Bank approves the application on the portal.

Step 11: Step 2: After verification, if claims are found in order, the Commissioner, Industries & Commerce Department forwards claims to the Finance Department. The Finance Department processes the claim for online reimbursement through Direct Benefit Tran…
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Disbursement Process
The Finance Department releases the subsidy amount directly to the beneficiary's bank account. Short Message Service alerts sent for funds disbursement. The beneficiary receives the Direct Benefit Transfer in a registered bank account.
Application Status Tracking
Log in to the portal to check application status. Track application progress through different stages of verification. Receive Short Message Service alerts throughout the process, including registration, fund release, etc.
Important Deadlines
Claim on completion of every financial year.
*For Technical Support, please write to [email protected].

Required Documents
• Working Capital Loan Sanction Letter
• Bank Statement showing Working Capital Loan details
• Interest Certificate from a Scheduled Commercial Bank or a Public Financial Institution
• Self-Attestation regarding non-availing of interest subsidy under any other scheme
• Loan Account Classification Certificate (confirming Non-Performing Asset status)
• Tea Plantation or Manufacturing Unit Registration Documents

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of tea plantation sizes are eligible to apply for the interest subvention benefit on working capital loans?
A: Tea plantations of all sizes are eligible to apply for this benefit, with no minimum or maximum size restrictions specified.
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Q: Can manufacturing units producing different varieties of tea beyond the traditional types qualify for this working capital interest subvention?
A: Yes, manufacturing units producing Crush, Tear, Curl Tea, Orthodox Tea, or Specialty tea including Green tea, Oolong Tea, White tea, Yellow tea and Purple tea are all eligible.
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Q: Is it mandatory for both the tea plantation and manufacturing facility to be located entirely within the state boundaries for eligibility?
A: Yes, the applicant must be located entirely in Assam and must not have any part of the plantation or manufacturing facility located outside the State of Assam.
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Q: What is the specific interest rate reduction provided on working capital loans under this financial assistance program?
A: The scheme provides interest subvention of 3% per annum on Working Capital Loan taken from eligible financial institutions.
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Q: What is the maximum financial benefit amount that can be claimed per unit annually under this working capital support scheme?
A: The maximum claimable amount is ₹20,00,000/- per annum per unit or garden under this interest subvention component.
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Q: Which specific financial years are covered under the current validity period of this working capital interest subvention scheme?
A: The scheme covers financial years 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28, extending till the end of Financial Year 2027-28.
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Q: What types of banking institutions are acceptable for taking working capital loans to qualify for this interest subvention benefit?
A: Applicants must have taken loans from a Scheduled Commercial Bank or a Public Financial Institution to be eligible for the interest subvention.
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Q: What specific activities or purposes should the working capital loan be used for to qualify for this interest subvention?
A: The Working Capital Loan must be taken for activities directly related to plantation or manufacturing of Tea to qualify for the benefit.
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Q: What is the minimum timing requirement for working capital loan sanction or renewal to be eligible for claims in specific financial years?
A: The Working Capital must be sanctioned or renewed on or after 1st April of the financial year in which the claim is to be made.
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Q: What loan account status is required to maintain eligibility for this interest subvention benefit throughout the claim period?
A: The applicant must not have loan accounts declared as Non-Performing Asset as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines on the date of filing claim.
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Q: Can applicants who have already received interest subsidies from other government schemes apply for this working capital interest subvention?
A: No, applicants must not have availed any interest subsidy under any other scheme to be eligible for this benefit.
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Q: When is the appropriate time to submit claims for reimbursement under this working capital interest subvention scheme?
A: Claims can be submitted on completion of every financial year for reimbursement of the interest subvention amount.
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