8 Feb 2013

Subsidy for Manasa Sarovar yatra

by | posted in: Asia, China, Experience, Tibet | 37
Though central Government facilitates Manasa Sarovar yatra each year, it not bear the cost of the trip. The Government has no role in private trips originating from Nepal. In recent years, few state Governments have started providing assistance in terms of money for Manasa Sarovar pilgrims and Karnataka is one such state. A sum of Rs 30,000/- is given to each person who goes to Manasa Sarovar. This is irrespective of whether he goes by Government or private route.  The two conditions being that the person must reside in Karnataka and has not claimed this subsidy before.

 

The intension of this post is to provide information on how to obtain subsidy for Kailash Manasa Sarovar trip. I knew about the subsidy before the trip but could not get much information about the process to claim the same. It took some effort on my side to get information and claim subsidy. It was done with the help of fellow travellers who had prior information from previous group.

 

Process

The subsidy can be claimed after you complete the trip. The application has to be given at Muzrai Office in Kalasipalyam (Near to Tippu Sultan’s Palace). The address is:

 

The Commissioner of Religious and charitable endowments,
Mahadeshwara vartha bhavan,
Alur Venkatarao Road,
Chamarajmet, Bengaluru – 560018

 

Along with application, the following documents needs to be submitted:
·        Passport copy
·        Copy of the passport page containing immigration stamp of Nepal and China
·        Group Visa and permit
·        Certificate mentioning about yatra completion (Issued by travel agent, for Nepal route)
·        CIPSC document (For Nepal route)
·        Central Government certificate (For Government. route)
·        Two passport size photos
You can take a copy of filled application form and get a seal which is treated as acknowledgement. Note that the application must be submitted within two months of completing the journey.

 

My experience

For me the biggest issue was CIPSC document. I never knew that such a document existed before submitting the form. I contacted the travel agent in Nepal. They did not understand anything!! So, I got a copy of CIPSC document from Endowment Office and emailed a scanned copy of it. That document was not issued by travel agent but by Tibetan guides. I then had to contact our guides in Tibet and get the document. The travel agent and the guides were very helpful in this regard. By the way, this document is completely in Chinese!!

 

Ideally, you should get intimation from the Endowment Office to collect Demand Draft!! But that does not happen and you might have to call them to check the status. I think they collect all application forms and then process it. Considering that the last batch of pilgrims travel during September/October and given another two months time for submission, it will be January by the time the applications are processed.

 

Once the application is processed, one needs to visit the Office in person and show Original passport, ID card indicating that you reside in Karnataka (Ration card/Voter ID/Driver’s license). Also, an affidavit stating that the person has not claimed subsidy before has to be provided on a twenty rupees stamp paper (the content is provided by Muzrai Office). After this process, the Demand Draft will be handed over.

 

I did five trips to Muzrai Office:
1. To collect Application form
2. To submit the form but realized the missing CIPSC document.
3. Submit the form along with CIPSC document.
4. Came to know about that the application was processed. But it was late by the time I got the stamp paper and put the writing into it!!
5. Collected DD

Attitude of the staff

It will not be good on my part if I do not appreciate the way the staff behaved in this process. Unlike other Government Offices, the transactions were smooth and hassle free. The concerned people in the Office behaved in a professional manner. No one asked for bribe or even made indirect reference to it. (Not even “Give something for Coffee/Tea” kind of stuff from helpers). More than the money I got, I was happy at the way the whole transaction was handled.

 

Note: This applies only for the state of Karnataka. Each state might have different requirement/criteria.

37 Responses

  3. Nisha Jha
    | Reply

    Very good information. It'll definitely help other travelers. Though I don't belong to Karnataka, still I now know that such assistance is provided.

    Thanks again.

  7. Sana
    | Reply

    Every bit of information saves in lot of time. I so much wish I visit kailash & get to use this facilty. Thank you for the info!!

  11. N.Suresh
    | Reply

    Dear Aravind

    Thanks for the information. Can u please send the soft copy of cipsc certificate to my email id : sureshhpt@gmail.com. My father had visited Kailash and we are also facing the trouble in getting cipsc certificate. Please do the needful.

  13. sandhya
    | Reply

    Dear Aravind

    Thanks for giving the complete information at one place.
    Many are unaware where & how to apply for the KMY subsidy. Your info would help many people.
    Is it possible for you to send the soft copy of cipsc certificate to my email id: sandhya_vr@yahoo.com

  17. Jayaprakash T
    | Reply

    Thanks Arvind for the information, it is very helpful. I could submit application today, in one shot.

    Required documents –
    1. Filled in application form ( you need to provide bank details, with IFSC code). CISPC not required.
    2. Copy of passport
    3. Address proof like voter id, aadhar card etc
    4. China (Tibet) group permit for complete group who visited Manas Sarovar with you (around 40). This has to include your passport number.

    Office is just next bldg to Tippu Sultan summer palace near Kalisipalya. Starting point of KR road, now metro work is going on.

  18. Aravind GJ
    | Reply

    Jayaprakash,
    Nice to hear that you could submit the documents in one shot.

    And good that CISPC document is not required. That was a bane to many people.

  19. Jayaprakash T
    | Reply

    Any one has draft copy of affidavit? I learn this is stating that the person has not claimed subsidy before and has to be provided on a twenty rupees stamp paper.

    Also a letter to be given authorizing someone known to you in case pilgrim could not visit Muzrai office in person to collect DD.

  20. pramod kumar Dixit
    | Reply

    Thanks a lot Aravind for an excellent piece of information and Thanks to Jayaprakash for letting us know about need for CISPC form.
    We are planning to visit KMY this year.

    I have a few questions if you can spare 2 mins of your valuable time.

    1. Do you have inputs for any specific tour operator depending on your and your fellow travellers experience and from cost front?

    2. We should be able to claim subsidy from Govt, irrespective of the origin of the tour operator., or the operator should be from Karnataka?

    3. In any case, precautionarily, Is it possible for you to send the soft copy of cipsc certificate to my email id – pramodkdixit@gmail.com

    Thanks in advance, and much appreciated effort,

    Pramod Kumar Dixit.

  21. Aravind GJ
    | Reply

    Pramod,
    Thanks.

    About tours and operators, there are many operators in each city. All of them go via Nepal agencies finally. Look for the reliable one.

    For subsidy, it does not matter with whom you go with.

    I do not have a copy of CIPSC certificate. Since you have not yet visited, you can always get it from travel agency.

  22. sreekanth
    | Reply

    Hi Friends,

    I am currently staying and working in Bangalore, Karnataka since 2010. But my proper is Andhra pradesh.

    I am looking to get this Subsidy.
    Can any one please post your your comments on my eligibility?

    Appreciate your help !

  23. Varun B S
    | Reply

    Many thanks around or the details of procedure. I am applying today and hopefully the process will be as smooth as you experienced.

  27. raj
    | Reply

    Thanks for the detailed information and could you please send CIPSC certificate copy to my email id: nagaraj.bn@gmail.com, also currently who is the best Manasasarovar operator as some of my friends planning to travel

  30. SAIRAM
    | Reply

    Thanks a lot Mr.Aravind, very good informaiton i got before planning for the Mt.Kailash trip, very useful to all the aspirant who wanted to visit. Thanks a lot again.

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