The “Concession in Railway Travel” scheme was initiated by the Department of Art and Culture, Tamil Nadu, to assist individual artists and cultural troupes in their endeavor to provide cultural performances throughout India. The scheme provides concessions on railway fares, allowing artists to travel economically for outstation performances. A concession certificate is issued by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram to eligible applicants.
Benefits
- 75% Concession: Available on Second Class fares.
- 50% Concession: Available on First Class fares.
Eligibility
Artists and cultural troupes must be of the following categories:
- Category of Applicant:
Independent artist or troupe with more than three members. - Reason for Visit:
The journey should be undertaken to perform a cultural activity (public programme) at an outstation. - Travel Method:
Should be by train. - Distance Criteria:
The distance of the starting place from the performance venue must be above 300 km, according to regulations by Indian Railways.
Offline Application How to Apply
- Advertisement:
Monitor the local newspapers for announcements made by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram seeking applications. - Get Application Form:
Proceed to the Mandram office between office hours and request for the application form. - Application Form:
Fill out all the columns in the form compulsorily. Affix a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if necessary). Attach all relevant documents (self-attested, if needed). - Submission:
The filled-in application form with attachments should be submitted to the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram. - Receipt or Acknowledgement:
A receipt or an acknowledgement with the submission details, such as date, time and unique identification number, if applicable.
Documents Required
- Bio-data of the artist.
- Proof of Identity, which may include any one of the following: Aadhaar card, voter ID.
- Train Ticket (if already booked).
- Confirmation Letter from the program organizer or advertisement details of the event.
- Other documents, if any, are required by the Department.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
- Who is eligible for the concession?
Individual artists or troupes (minimum three artists) traveling for cultural performances are eligible. - Is there a distance criterion for availing of the concession?
Yes, travel distance should be 300 km or more. - What kinds of performances qualify for the concession?
Cultural performances organized as public programs are eligible. - What is the extent of the concession?
- 75% concession for Second Class fares.
- 50% concession for First Class fares.
Application and Process
- How is the concession certificate obtained?
Eligible applicants can obtain the concession certificate by applying to the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram. - What is the application submission process?
Applications must be submitted offline to the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram along with the required documents. - Is there any particular documentation required?
All documents such as bio-data, identity proof, train tickets, and confirmation letters from program organizers are required to be submitted. - Can applications be submitted for troupes less than three?
No, there should be a minimum of three artists in a troupe for eligibility.
Further Details
- If the travel distance is below 300 km, what happens?
Trips of distances below 300 km are not eligible for concession. - To whom and where should the application be submitted?
Applications must be sent to:- Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram
Ponni, 31, P.S. Kumarasamy Raja Salai, Chennai-600 028.
- Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram
Sources and References
- Scheme Guidelines
- Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram Website