ELSS, Demat & Brokerage

Dear experts,

This is the first time I am planning to invest in ELSS. So I seek your inputs on the following.

1. Is a Demat account required to invest in ELSS? If no, then which organizations (banks/mutual funds) should I approach to invest in ELSS? I read somewhere that one can save brokerage on ELSS by not going with the brokers and invest himself. If that is possible then what is the typical modus operandi (steps) to invest in ELSS?
Yes bro u can go to the AMC of any MF n invest urself with filling a simple form to save the entry load
No Demat is not required for ELSS
Now question is on ur choice which to invest as manythread in this forum can tell which is better n which is not for that one need to actually contact broker but as per I think Birla Reliance n SBI are going good

2. I see that all the ELSS funds discussed on this forum are mutual funds. Can we not invest in few individual stocks on our own to qualify for ELSS?

Thanks for your time and inputs. Look forward to hearing from you!

Sameer

Praveen, thanks bro for the quick inputs! Are you sure that there will not be any entry load if I sign through the AMC? Because, I see in the following links that there is an entry load of 2.25% of SBI Magnum and Sundaram Tax Saver, unless one invests huge money! Please let me know. Thanks again!

http://www.sbimf.com/Product_Details.asp?ProductId=15
http://www.sundarambnpparibas.in/mutual-funds/16/perfor/Tax-Saver

Just a quick question, say I invest 20,000 and I have to pay 450 as entry load (2.25%). Does the entry load count towards the tax benefit, I mean, can I claim 20450 towards the 80C or just 20000? Let me know.. thanks!

Bro I am 10000000000000% sure that if u apply directely at AMC no entry load will b charged from u
now question of ur example that 450 Rs will b in taxation benefit or not
Bro when u invest 20000 they will give u units of 19550+450=20000Rs
ok no AMC charge extra but deduct from total n that is in ur investment with increase of unit price cost
Feel free to ask if u hav any more doubt
God bless u