AI SummaryChief Ministergi Artistesinggi Tengbang (CMAT) Scheme of Festival Assistance for Participating in International and National Festival provides financial support to talented artists from Manipur. This scheme assists individual artists and registered cultural groups by reimbursing their travel and journey expenses when they represent the state at prestigious national and international festivals.
The Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur runs this scheme under the larger CMAT umbrella, which also covers artist pension, purchase of instruments, training support and awards. For the festival component, the government pays back the travel cost of artists invited to perform at events abroad or within the country. Visa fees and performance costs are not covered, but the burden of reaching these big platforms is reduced.
Introduction
Chief Ministergi Artistesinggi Tengbang (CMAT) Scheme of Festival Assistance for Participating in International and National Festival is a dedicated state scheme for the artists of Manipur. It is meant for those who get formal invitations to perform at international and national festivals. The money is paid back through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after the artist submits the original bills, vouchers, tickets and boarding passes.
Every year the department supports a set number of individual artists and registered cultural groups for international festivals, with a similar quota for national festivals. A selection committee reviews each application and decides who qualifies and how the festival should be categorised.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Chief Ministergi Artistesinggi Tengbang (CMAT) Scheme of Festival Assistance for Participating in International and National Festival |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Manipur |
| Categories | Sports and Culture, Social welfare and Empowerment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual artists and registered cultural groups |
| Benefit Type | Reimbursement through DBT |
| Nodal Department | Art and Culture Department |
| Application Mode | Offline |
Benefits
The government reimburses the travel expenditure directly into the bank account of the artist or the group through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This happens only after the original bills, vouchers, tickets and boarding passes are submitted and approved. The scheme supports three individual artists and three registered cultural groups per year for international festivals, with a similar quota for national festival participation.
Eligibility
To qualify, the applicant must be a resident of Manipur and a recognised active artist. For example, if a classical dancer from Imphal wants to apply, a valid residency proof is required. The conditions are slightly different for international and national festival support.
For international festival assistance, the applicant must be a domicile of Manipur, an active artist, should have performed at a minimum of two or three recognised national festivals, should have taken part in at least three or four state level programs, and should not be receiving full funding from any other individual or institution for the same event.
For national festival assistance, the applicant must be a domicile of Manipur, an active artist, should have performed in at least three or four recognised national festivals, should have taken part in three or four state level programs, and should not be receiving full funding from any other source for the same event. A selection committee set up by the government reviews all applications to decide eligibility and to categorise festivals correctly.
Application Process
The application is submitted offline. The steps to apply are given below.
STEP 1 - Download the official application form from the department website. The full CMAT guidelines and form can also be accessed through the official Government of Manipur document.
STEP 2 - Fill in every detail correctly and attach self-attested copies of all the required documents.
STEP 3 - Submit the completed application with a cover letter addressed to the Director of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur, at the office in Palace Compound, Imphal. The application should reach at least one month before the scheduled travel date.
Documents Required
The following documents should be attached with the application form.
- Valid residential or domicile certificate of Manipur.
- Original invitation letter for the event.
- Copies of travel tickets, whether by bus, train or air, along with the list of participating artists.
- Correct bank account details for individual or group funding.
- Detailed bio-data of the artist or an activity report for the cultural group.
- Original receipts of all expenses, vouchers, tickets and boarding passes.
References
Official CMAT Scheme Guidelines PDF
FAQ's
Which department manages this scheme?
The Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur manages this scheme.
Does this scheme accept online applications?
No, the application is submitted offline through the department office.
To whom should the application be addressed?
It should be addressed to the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur.
Where is the office located?
The office is situated at Palace Compound, Imphal.
By when should the application be submitted?
It should be submitted at least one month before the scheduled travel date.
Is there an income limit for applicants?
No, there are no income restrictions for this scheme.
Are documents required to be self-attested?
Yes, all documents attached with the application must be self-attested.
How is the money reimbursed?
The amount is reimbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank account.
Are there age restrictions?
No, there are no specific age related criteria to apply.
Can residents of other states apply?
No, only permanent residents or domiciliaries of Manipur can apply.