Apun Ghar
Apun Ghar is a interest subvention scheme by the State Government of Assam. The aim is to provide housing loan to the regular State Government employees through the State Bank of India (SBI). Apun Ghar is a Home Loan Scheme to provide home loans at a lower interest rates for the state government employees. As per data released by the Government, about 4.5 Lakh Government employees will benefit under the home loan scheme.
In order to avail benefits of this home loan scheme, the applicant must be above 21 years. He or she must be employed in any of the state government departments for a minimum of 5 years and above.
It is important to note that the benefits of Apun Ghar Scheme will be available to only those State Government employees who will apply for a housing loan within 2 years from the date of issuance of the Government notification.
Difference between SBI Loan Rate and Apun Ghar Loan Rate
SBI has decided to extend the home loan to the State Government employees at an interest rate of 8.50% for women and 8.55% for men. Assam Government will provide 3.5% subvention of interest provided the employee applies for the subvention. Once the subvention application is approved, the effective interest rate of home loan will be 5.00% for women and 5.05% for men.
The EMI of the Apun Ghar Home Loan will be charged to the employee by SBI at 8.5% and 8.55% respectively, and the State Government will credit the subsidy of 3.5% into the salary account of the State Government employees.
The interest rate for a normal home loan from SBI is around 9% for an ordinary citizen of the country.
Other Benefits of Apun Ghar Home Loan Scheme
Loan Amount: Under this Apun Ghar Home Loan Scheme, the eligible employees would be able to get the maximum loan amount of Rs. 15 Lakhs.
Loan Tenure: Apun Ghar home loan scheme will provide home loan for a period of 20 years. For pensionable service holders, the loan has to be repaid by the age of 70 years. For non-pensionable service holders, the loan has to be repaid by the age of 60 years.
No Processing Fee: Unlike the other home loans offered by the state banks of India, Apun Ghar home loan will have no processing fee for the State Government employees.
Floating Interest Rate: The State Government employees will enjoy a floating rate of interest so that they can take the benefit of a reduced market lending rate.
Purpose of Loan: The loan will be sanctioned for the following purposes – 1) Construction of a house on an existing plot of land either in the name of the State Government employee or the spouse; 2) Purchase of land and construction of house on it; 3) Purchase of flats or readymade buildings within the state of Assam. It will not be given for purchase of land or house from close relatives.
Mortgage: There is no need for mortgaging the property or land of the State Government employee up to a Apun Ghar loan amount of Rs. 10 lakhs. For loans above 10 lakhs, SBI will release the Title Deeds and issue a ‘No Due’ certificate to the borrower with a copy to the Finance Department of the Govt. of Assam.
Loan Transfer: State Government employees will be able to transfer their existing home loans with SBI or any other bank into this Apun Ghar Subsidy Scheme to avail the interest discount.
Loan Application: The loan applicants are required to visit the nearest District Drawing and Disbursing Office with the complete set of documents as per the check list and application form provided by the SBI.
Joint Application: Close relatives can come together to avail the home loan jointly, provided they are both employees of the State Government of Assam. The combined loan amount should be within the prescribed loan amount limit.
When was it announced?
The Apun Ghar housing loan scheme of Assam government was announced by the Assam government in the month of March 2017. The scheme will kickstart in the Financial Year 2017 – 2018.
Apun Ghar is clearly an initiative taken under the vision of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide housing for all by the year of 2022.
