New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several changes to the PM SVANidhi Scheme on Saturday while outlining the Budget. The initiative is a Special Micro-Credit Facility for providing affordable loans to street vendors - especially those who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"PM SVANidhi Scheme has benefitted more than 68 lakh street vendors - giving them respite from high-interest informal sector loans. Building on this success the scheme will be revamped with enhanced loans from banks, UPI-linked credit cards with Rs.30,000 limit and capacity building support," Sitharaman announced.

The Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi scheme or PM SVANidhi is an initiative launched by the Minist...