Cabinet approves credit scheme for street vendors; to benefit 50 lakh sellers

Besides, among the important decisions taken in the meeting, the Union Cabinet approved an increase in minimum support prices (MSP) of 14 Kharif crops. The increased MSP will ensure a price which will be 50 percent to 83 percent more than the cost of production, Javadekar said while briefing reporters.

The MSP for paddy has been fixed at Rs 1,868, jowar at Rs 2,620, while bajra at Rs 2,150.

The cabinet has also given its nod to change the definition of MSMEs. Two lakh MSMEs will benefit from the change, said Javadekar.

In the stimulus package announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman last month, she had proposed changes in the definition of MSMEs.

While the government raised the turnover limit for 'medium enterprises' to Rs 250 crore, firms with Rs 1 crore investment and Rs 5 crore turnover would be included in micro enterprises. Those with an investment of less than Rs 10 crore and turnover of less than Rs 50 crore will quality as small enterprises.