Assam Boosts Welfare: Apon Ghar, Apon Bahan Schemes Extended & Urban Housing Loan Limit Soars to ₹50 Lakh
Assam has extended its popular Apon Ghar and Apon Bahan schemes for another five years, significantly increasing the urban housing loan limit to ₹50 lakh. This move aims to enhance access to affordable housing and promote sustainable mobility for state government employees and permanent residents, fostering financial well-being.
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Introduction
In a significant boost to employee welfare and resident empowerment, the Assam government recently announced the extension of its flagship 'Apon Ghar' and 'Apon Bahan' schemes for an additional five years. These crucial initiatives, aimed at making homeownership and vehicle acquisition more accessible, were confirmed during the presentation of the 2026-27 state Budget by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on July 10, 2026. This strategic extension, coupled with a notable increase in the urban housing loan limit under the Apon Ghar scheme, underscores the government's commitment to improving the financial well-being and living standards of its citizens.
Apon Ghar Scheme: Enhanced Housing Support
The 'Apon Ghar' scheme, primarily designed for state government employees, has been a cornerstone of Assam's efforts to promote affordable housing. Recognizing its success, the government has extended the scheme for another five years. Initially, an executive order on March 8, 2026, had extended the scheme from April 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026, but the latest budget announcement confirms a more comprehensive five-year continuation.
Under 'Apon Ghar', eligible state government employees benefit from a 1% interest subsidy on home loans, making the dream of owning a first home more attainable. The scheme has seen remarkable uptake, with 52,034 government employees having availed housing loans totaling over ₹8,300 crore and receiving ₹707 crore in interest subsidies. The scheme has also been extended to include employees of State PSUs and certain contractual employees, allowing loans up to ₹30 lakh at a 1% interest rate, provided they submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their HR Manager.
Increased Urban Housing Loan Limit
A significant highlight of the recent announcements is the enhancement of the maximum eligible housing loan under the 'Apon Ghar' scheme for employees purchasing homes in urban areas. This limit has been substantially increased to ₹50 lakh. This marks a progressive step, building upon previous revisions where the loan limit for government employees was raised from ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh. This higher ceiling is expected to cater to the rising property costs in urban centers, enabling employees to access more substantial financial assistance for their housing needs.
Aponar Apon Ghar: Home Ownership for All Residents
Beyond the employee-centric 'Apon Ghar' scheme, Assam also offers the 'Aponar Apon Ghar' scheme, a broader initiative from the Finance Department aimed at making homeownership a reality for all permanent residents of the state. This scheme provides substantial financial relief through direct subsidies on home loans.
Under 'Aponar Apon Ghar', beneficiaries can receive a subsidy of up to ₹2.5 lakh on home loans ranging up to ₹40 lakh. Specifically, a subsidy of ₹1 lakh is provided for housing loans between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh. For loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, the subsidy increases to ₹1.5 lakh, and for loans between ₹20 lakh and ₹30 lakh, it is ₹2 lakh. The maximum subsidy of ₹2.5 lakh is available for housing loans sanctioned between ₹30 lakh and ₹40 lakh.
To qualify for this assistance, applicants must be permanent residents of Assam with a total family income not exceeding ₹20 lakh. The housing loan must be obtained from a Scheduled Commercial Bank, Regional Rural Bank, or the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank operating within the state and must have been approved on or after April 1, 2019. Furthermore, the loan account must not be classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA), and the scheme is exclusively for those purchasing their first house.
Apon Bahan Scheme: Driving Sustainable Mobility
The 'Apon Bahan' scheme, another crucial employee welfare initiative, has also been extended for another five years, as announced during the recent budget presentation. This scheme supports government employees in purchasing motor vehicles by offering attractive interest subventions.
In a move to promote cleaner transportation, the government has increased the interest subvention for electric vehicles (EVs) to 4% under the 'Apon Bahan' scheme. Additionally, employees opting for EVs will be eligible for motor vehicle tax subvention benefits, aligning with broader government efforts to encourage sustainable mobility. For conventional petrol or diesel vehicles, male employees receive a 2% interest rate, while female and physically disabled employees are charged a 3% interest rate.
Since its launch, 8,636 government employees have already benefited from the 'Apon Bahan' scheme. Eligibility criteria include being a government employee of Assam, aged between 21 and 53 years, with at least seven years of service, and a family annual income not exceeding ₹3 lakh. The scheme offers a maximum loan amount of ₹15 lakh or 48 times the net monthly income, whichever is lower. The repayment period ranges from three to seven years, and the loan can cover 85% to 90% of the vehicle's on-road price. The subsidy amount is directly transferred to the employee's salary account. It's important to note that the scheme is for personal use vehicles only, and three-wheelers are not covered.
Impact and Future Outlook
These extensions and enhancements to the 'Apon Ghar' and 'Apon Bahan' schemes are poised to have a profound positive impact on the lives of thousands of government employees and residents across Assam. By making homeownership more accessible and promoting the adoption of cleaner vehicles, the government is not only addressing immediate financial needs but also contributing to long-term economic stability and environmental sustainability.
The increased urban housing loan limit reflects an understanding of the evolving economic landscape and the government's commitment to ensuring that its welfare initiatives remain relevant and effective. The emphasis on electric vehicles under 'Apon Bahan' also highlights a forward-thinking approach towards a greener future. These measures, alongside other employee welfare initiatives announced in the 2026-27 budget, such as the constitution of the 8th State Pay Commission, demonstrate a holistic vision for a 'Surakshita, Samriddha, Bikashita Asom' (Secure, Prosperous, Developed Assam).