Palnadu, July 17 -- More than Rs 3,200 crore in loans were sanctioned to 1.03 lakh beneficiaries under various Central government schemes during a Credit Outreach Programme held in Narasaraopeta, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday, as the government stepped up efforts to expand access to institutional credit for entrepreneurs, farmers and small businesses.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed over bank sanction letters to beneficiaries under schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar and the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and other senior state leaders.

Addressing the programme, Sitharaman said the government's focus has been on streng...