Amar Alohi Scheme 2023 Application Form for New / Existing Home Stay | Assam Aamaar Aalohi (Livelihood Scheme)

 The Assam government has introduced the Amar Alohi Scheme 2023, which invites application forms for home stay facilities. Candidates can apply to avail of the benefits offered under the Amar Alohi scheme, which focuses on rural homestay opportunities. The scheme, also known as Aamaar Aalohi (Livelihood Scheme), is developed by the Tourism Department, Government of Assam. Its primary objective is to enhance and promote rural home stay facilities across the state of Assam. By providing self-employment opportunities to educated youths in rural and semi-urban areas with tourism potential, the scheme aims to boost the tourism sector and empower the local communities.

Assam Aamaar Aalohi (Livelihood Scheme) 2023 Details

Assam Aamaar Aalohi Scheme aims to tap tourism prospects in rural and semi urban areas in the state. Amar Alohi Scheme is also expected to create thousands of job/earning opportunities. The scheme will provide comfortable home stay facilities & services along with accommodation to the tourists in rural and semi-urban tourist destinations.

2 Types of Applications in Aamaar Aalohi Rural Home Stay Scheme

Assam Tourism Development Corporation invites two types of application:

• New Homestays (subsidised projects)
• Existing Homestays

Selection process of units / beneficiaries & criteria: Suitability criteria for selection of the houses and their premises, their locations would be one of the most important criteria. The houses should not only be from a rural/non-urban area, these should be close to important tourists spots and may also be in such locations where some important tourism events like fairs and festivals etc. are held which draw large number of visitors from different places.

Amar Alohi Scheme Application Form PDF Download

STEP 1: Firstly visit the official website at https://tourismcorporation.assam.gov.in/

STEP 2: At the homepage, click at the “Aamaar Aalohi (Livelihood Scheme)” tab as shown in the image below:-

STEP 3: Direct Link – https://tourismcorporation.assam.gov.in/portlets/aamaar-aalohi-livelihood-scheme

STEP 4: Then in the new window read the Aamaar Aalohi (Livelihood Scheme) details, go to the “Downloads” section and click at PDF link in front of Amar Alohi Form section as shown below:-

STEP 5: Then the Amar Alohi Scheme Application Form will appear as shown below:-

STEP 6: Download the Aamaar Aalohi Scheme application forms for new / existing homestays, take a printout and then fillup and submit the Amar Alohi Scheme application form.

Selection Process under Amar Alohi Scheme (Home Stay)

In this article, we will describe the selection process for registration of existing Home Stay units and selection process of beneficiaries for providing Subsidy / Margin money Assistance to set-up new Home Stay unit.

Selection Process for Registration of Existing Home Stay Units

The selection process for registration of existing Home Stay units will be based on the following steps:

Step 1: Applicants need to apply by submitting the prescribed Application Form (vide Annexure – III) along with necessary documents/testimonials within the specified time mentioned in the Advertisement.

Step 2: The Standard and Quality Assurance Committee will inspect their property and recommend suitable applicants based on their property, submitting an Inspection Report before the Selection Committee.

Step 3: The Selection Committee will examine the Application Form and the Inspection Report, shortlisting applicants for the training program organized by ATDC Ltd.

Step 4: Based on performance in the Training Program on hospitality, housekeeping services, and management skills to run Home Stay Units, the Selection Committee will finally select suitable Homestays for registration under the scheme.

For the selection process of beneficiaries to provide Subsidy/Margin money Assistance to set up a new Home Stay unit, the following steps will be followed:

Step 1: Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd will issue an open advertisement inviting offers from interested individual families who shall apply in prescribed Application Forms. These applications, along with submitted documents/testimonials, will be examined for shortlisting. If necessary, applicants will be called for discussion before shortlisting. The applicants should fulfill the following criteria:

Minimum educational qualification of a minimum 12th standard pass.

Age between 26 years and 55 years as of 01.01.2017.

Step 2: The Standard & Quality Assurance Committee will inspect the premises and locations of the shortlisted applicants' proposals, further shortlisting their applications for the training program organized by ATDC Ltd. on hospitality, housekeeping services, and management skills to run Home Stays.

Step 3: After the training program, the Selection Committee will select suitable beneficiaries based on the report of the Standard & Quality Assurance Committee and their performance in the training program, to provide subsidy/margin money assistance to set up new Rural Home Stay Units.

Additionally, applicants must obtain necessary clearances from district/sub-divisional authorities regarding credentials and other relevant issues, including land status, for the registration of existing Home Stay Units or setting up the proposed Home Stay Units. A Police Verification Certificate is also required for selection.

Incentives / Assistance to be given under Amar Alohi Scheme

Incentives for Existing Homestay units

The existing Homestay units will get the following incentives under the Aamaar Aalohi scheme:-

• Recognition through online-registration as an authorized tourist establishment register under Assam Tourism;
• Professional advice for improvements of homestays & guest services by experts in the respective fields;
• Free training on homestay and hospitality services, basic accounts, attitude building, marketing etc.;
• Free publicity and marketing opportunities through official websites of Assam Tourism;
• Listing the accommodation guide and homestay directory published by Assam Tourism;
• Free of charge listing in the periodically printed brochures and advertisement;
• Free marketing opportunities via national and international information counters, travel fairs, tourist directories, guidebooks and social media networks;
• Allow eligible homestay unit to display the Assam Tourism homestay logo as a registered establishment;
• Familiarization trips (FAM trips) for homestay operators to famous homestay organization / tourism entities promoting rural, cultural and nature tourism.
• Encourage local communities to adopt organic farming techniques.

Incentives for Newly Setup Homestay Units

For newly set-up Homestay units will be entitled for the following incentives / financial assistance under the scheme along with the aforesaid incentives under existing homestay units above:- 

(a) Limit of subsidy for the type of construction:- 

• Assam type cottage (type 1): Assistance of 80% of the project cost as per Annexure IV;
• Stilted Assam type cottage (type 2): Assistance of 80% of the project cost as per Annexure V;

(b) The remaining fund (20% of project cost) would have to be arranged from bank or such other sources by the beneficiaries. 

(c) The Govt. of Assam or ATDC Ltd. shall not provide any guarantee for the loan components nor shall be liable for any financial liability of the beneficiaries in any manner under this scheme at any point of time to any party for any reason whatsoever.

Release of Financial Assistance and Time Limit for Completion

The State Govt. assistance 80% would be released in the following phases:-

• 20% of the assistance immediately after selection, approval and registration of the units and on production of documentary proof of arrangement of the remaining fund for the project apart from the subsidy / margin money assistance.
• The second instalment of 50% would be released after spot verification by authorized officials and on being satisfied that construction up a reasonable extent have been completed with the first installment from his/her own contribution of 20% of the project.
• Final instalment of 30% would be released after completion of the civil works and the unit is ready for commissioning.
• The time limit for completion of the units would be 6 months from the date of release of the 1st instalment.

Only selected new homestays can avail subsidy from Tourism Department, Govt. of Assam to build the home of an amount of approx. Rs. 6 lakh (Assam type) and approx. Rs. 8 lakh (stilted Assam type). Assam Tourism Development Corporation invites applications time to time. The all types of applied homestays are selected after scrutinised and personally inspected under a Selection Committee of Tourism Department.

Check details of Amar Alohi Scheme at https://tourismcorporation.assam.gov.in/how-to/amar-alohi-scheme-home-stay