FM proposes Rs 10,000 cr SME fund in Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed to set up a Rs 10,000 crore fund to create champion small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to boost the economy. Presenting Union Budget 2026-27, she also proposed a scheme for container manufacturing to create globally competitive ecosystem. Also, mega textile parks with focus on value addition to technical textiles would be set up. The budget also proposed setting up mega textile parks with focus on value addition to technical textiles and an integrated textile programme with five sub-parts, she stated. The finance minister said India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for high-quality affordable sports goods. She also proposed Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative to strengthen Khadi handloom. Besides, there would be a scheme to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters. PTI TEAM KKS ANU ANU