Subsidy for Orthodox & Speciality Tea Unit for Plant & Machinery" under the "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme

Description
Launched in 2020, the scheme "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 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: 25% of the cost of Plant & Machinery.
• Maximum Amount: ₹30,00,000/- or 25% of actual cost, whichever is less.
• Validity Period: Units starting production on or after 01-04-2020 and before 31-03-2028.
• Claim Period: Within 12 months of the start of commercial manufacturing activities.
• Disbursement Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer as reimbursement.
• Post-Selection Condition: Manufacturing unit shall not sell the machinery before expiry of at least 5 years from start of manufacturing.

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. **Plant &amp; Machinery Subsidy Specific Eligibility**
8. - The applicant must be manufacturing Orthodox tea, Green tea, White tea, Oolong tea, Singhpo tea, Purple Tea, Yellow tea or other Speciality tea (not manufactured through Crush, Tear, Curl process).
9. - The applicant must have started production on or after 01-04-2020 and before 31-03-2028.
10. - The applicant must be either an entirely new unit or an existing unit which has expanded its capacity by creating additional infrastructure for production of Orthodox and Speciality Tea.
11. - The applicant must use all new machinery (no subsidy available on second hand machinery or parts of a machine).
12. - The applicant must not have claimed any similar subsidy under any other scheme of the Government of India or the State.
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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.
Online
*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.
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.
*For Technical Support, please write to [email protected].
Disbursement Process
The Finance Department releases the benefit 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.

Required Documents
• Plant & Machinery Purchase Invoice.
• Summary of Expenditure incurred on Plant & Machinery.
• Commercial Manufacturing Start Date Certificate.
• Machinery Installation Certificate.
• Undertaking regarding non-claiming of similar subsidy under other schemes.
• New Machinery Purchase Certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What percentage of my plant and machinery cost can I receive as financial assistance under this scheme?
A: You can receive 25% of the cost of plant and machinery as financial assistance.
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Q: Is there any upper limit on the maximum amount I can receive regardless of my plant and machinery cost?
A: Yes, the maximum amount is capped at ₹30,00,000 or 25% of actual cost, whichever is less.
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Q: What is the timeframe within which my manufacturing unit must have started production to be eligible for benefits?
A: Your unit must have started production on or after 01-04-2020 and before 31-03-2028.
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Q: How long do I have to submit my application after starting commercial manufacturing activities?
A: You must submit your application within 12 months of the start of commercial manufacturing activities.
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Q: Will I receive the benefit amount as a grant or will it be reimbursed after I make the investment?
A: The benefit is provided as a reimbursement through Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism after you make the investment.
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Q: Am I required to keep the machinery for a minimum period after receiving the benefit?
A: Yes, you cannot sell the machinery before the expiry of at least 5 years from the start of manufacturing.
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Q: Can I apply for this scheme if I own a tea plantation of any size?
A: Yes, tea plantations across all sizes are eligible to apply for this scheme.
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Q: What types of tea manufacturing activities make me eligible to apply for this financial assistance?
A: You can apply if you manufacture Crush, Tear, Curl tea, Orthodox tea, or Speciality tea including Green tea, Oolong tea, White tea, Yellow tea, and Purple tea.
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Q: Is there any geographical restriction regarding where my tea plantation or manufacturing unit should be located?
A: Your entire plantation and manufacturing facility must be located within the State of Assam.
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Q: Can I apply if any part of my tea plantation or manufacturing facility is located outside Assam?
A: No, you cannot apply if any part of your plantation or manufacturing facility is located outside the State of Assam.
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Q: What specific types of tea production qualify me for the plant and machinery subsidy under this scheme?
A: You must be manufacturing Orthodox tea, Green tea, White tea, Oolong tea, Singhpo tea, Purple tea, Yellow tea, or other Speciality tea not manufactured through Crush, Tear, Curl process.
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Q: Can I apply for the plant and machinery subsidy if I manufacture only Crush, Tear, Curl tea?
A: No, the plant and machinery subsidy is not available for units manufacturing only Crush, Tear, Curl tea.
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Q: What are the specific production timeline requirements I must meet to qualify for plant and machinery subsidy?
A: You must have started production on or after 01-04-2020 and before 31-03-2028.
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Q: Can my existing tea manufacturing unit qualify for this subsidy or is it only for completely new units?
A: You can qualify if you are either an entirely new unit or an existing unit that has expanded capacity by creating additional infrastructure for Orthodox and Speciality tea production.
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