New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- The government has undertaken several initiatives to improve credit flow to MSMEs and traditional artisans across the country, including handicraft businesses in western Uttar Pradesh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Lok Sabha.

In a written reply to a starred question on special credit support for MSMEs, the minister listed various schemes providing collateral-free credit, credit guarantees and financial assistance to enterprises and artisans.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), which currently provides collateral-free loans of up to Rs 20 lakh to eligible micro enterprises, 6.02 crore loans worth Rs 4.13 lakh crore have been extended in Uttar Pradesh since the scheme's inception.

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