Guwahati (PTI): The Geographical Indication (GI) for Assam Orthodox Tea and e-auction system were launched today protecting the unique special taste of Assam tea.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh said at the launch ceremony here satating that the GI would enable tea producers of the state to get better value for their 50 million tea sold and settle the debates on Assam orthodox tea being special is now settled.

He also urged the Tea Board of India, which owns the GI, to register Assam orthodox tea in the international markets by immediately applying formally under the European registry as it had for Darjeeling tea.

"I hope by 2010 there will be a European registration for Assam orthodox tea", the minister said.

The GI emblem is a round one with two leaves and a bud atop a rhino in white and brown colour.

Ramesh brought the hammer down to close the traditional manual auction system introduced in 1860 and replaced it with modern day e-auction through internet.

Besides Guwahati, all the six other tea auction centres of the country-- Kolkata, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Coonoor, Coimbatore and Cochin-- would soon have e-auction system for better value of good quality tea, he said.

Of the 950 million kg tea produced by the country annually, Ramesh said, 500 million kg were auctioned through the mannual system.