Govt to develop 'corporate mitras' cadre to help MSMEs
New Delhi (PTI): In efforts to help the MSMEs, the government will develop a cadre of "corporate mitras" in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the announcement as she presented the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday.
In her speech, the minister also said the government will set up an 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee to recommend measures focusing on the services sector.
The cadre of "corporate mitras" will help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to meet their compliance requirements at affordable costs.
Also, the government will facilitate professional institutions such as ICAI, ICSI, ICMAI to design short-term modular courses and practical tools to develop the cadre of corporate mitras, Sitharaman said.
In announcements related to the agriculture sector, the minister said support will be provided for high-value crops such as sandalwood, walnuts apart from having a coconut promotion scheme to increase production.
Also, the Centre will partner with states to restore glory of sandal wood ecosystem, she added.
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India trashes Pakistan's allegations of Indian hand in disturbing peace in Balochistan
New Delhi (PTI): India on Sunday categorically rejected as baseless Pakistan's allegations of an Indian hand in attempts to disturb peace in Balochistan, and said it is Islamabad's usual tactics to deflect attention from its "internal failings".
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, trashing the charges, also highlighted Pakistan's record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights.
"We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, which are nothing but its usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings," he said.
Jaiswal was responding to Pakistan military's unsubstantiated claim that India was supporting terrorist elements in their attempts to disturb peace in Balochistan.
"Instead of parroting frivolous claims each time there is a violent incident, it would do better to focus on addressing long-standing demands of its people in the region. Its record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights is well known," he added.
At least 15 Pakistani soldiers and 92 militants were killed in multiple counter-terrorism operations carried out by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan province, the Pakistan army said.
The operations were launched after militants belonging to ethnic Baloch groups carried out attacks at several locations on Saturday, it said in a statement.
The Pakistan army said the militants attempted to disturb peace by carrying out terrorist activities in and around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan and Panjgur, it said.
