An awareness Camp was organised by the Department of Handicrafts at village Mand in Tikri Panchayat to educate the artisans about various Central and State sponsored schemes and their benefits.Assistant Director Handicrafts Udhampur, Garbi Rashid highlighted the schemes and informed that the department is providing 10% interest subsidy to the artisans for a period of five years on the loans. He maintained that at present, about 15 Handicrafts Training Centres in the crafts of Phulkari, Stapple Embroidery, Carpet Weaving and Calico Printing crafts are functioning in the district. He called upon the artisans to take advantage of the schemes for which the department will help them in processing and sanctioning the loan cases.Sarpanch Panchayat Mand, Mansa Ram and Panches appreciated the role of Handicrafts Deptt for organizing such awareness programmes in the area and said that this will help the artisans to avail benefits of the schemes being implemented by the Government.Large number of artisans and locals attended the programme.