Honey Week, an awareness campaign initiated by Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC), concluded on Monday with a workshop on the usefulness of honey and a prize distribution ceremony for the winners of the drawing, recipe making, essay and slogan writing contests. Hundreds of students from 23 schools and colleges had participated in the competitions. Dr N S Tomar, State Director (Punjab and Chandigarh), KVIC, announced to provide loans upto Rs 25 lakh to needy youths educated upto Class VIII. Those who do not fulfill the educational qualification may get Rs 10 lakh to start beekeeping as a full-time business venture under the Prime Minister Employment Scheme.

“The government will provide 35 per cent subsidy and the reserved category applicants will be required to invest 5 per cent from their own pockets. On the contrary, the initial amount limit for the general category will be 10 percent,” he said.

A battery of experts on honey, hospitality and academics took part in the workshop focussing their attention on the use of honey for a balanced diet and medicines.