Guwahati: The Tea Association of India (TAI) has praised the Assam budget for the fiscal year 2023–24, praising the continuation of the Assam Agri income tax exemption and the incentives announced under the Assam tea industry special incentive scheme (ATISIS).
This comes after Assam’s finance minister, Ajanta Neog, unveiled the state’s budget for the years 2023–2024 and made a number of statements pertaining to the tea sector.
Ajanta Neog stated during her address that the traditional subsidy had been raised from Rs 7 to Rs 10 and that the Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Programme (ATISIS) would now be extended.
When announcing that the subsidy hike will be Rs 12, she said that doing so will help celebrate the 200 illustrious years of Assam Tea in a proper manner.
Further, the finance minister announced roadshows to be held around the nation to advertise Assam Tea.
Ajanta Neog also included various other announcements, such as power incentives for labour lines, in the budget for the fiscal year 2023–2024. These announcements included an extension of the three-year exemption from the agriculture income tax.
Reacting to it, the secretary of TAI Assam Branch, Dipanjol Deka hailed the budget. In a release he mentioned, “Tea Association of India (TAI) hails the Assam budget and lauds the extension of the Assam Agri income tax exemption and the incentives declared under the Assam tea industry special incentive scheme (ATISIS).”
“The proposal to hold road shows all over India, to promote Assam tea, as part of the 200 years celebration of Assam tea, would be of immense benefit to the Assam tea Industry,” added Dipanjol Deka.
Meanwhile, Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers’ Association (GTABA) Secretary Dinesh Bihani said, “Today in the Assam Budget the Government of Assam has given emphasis to promote Assam Tea across the Country. This will bring more cheer for the consumers to drink good quality Assam Tea. The makers of good quality tea will be recognised by the tea lovers for good liquors, aroma and good taste. This will result in good remunerative prices.”
He further said, “In this context please note that at present we are in surplus of tea and due to lower consumption of tea the tea industry is facing a lot of problems. I hope the new initiative by the Assam Govt will change the scenario of Assam Tea.”
“This year we are celebrating 200 years of Assam Tea through various programs undertaken by the government of Assam,” added Dinesh Bihani.