New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved increased allocations for the Cluster Development Programme for development of 26 million Small and Micro Enterprises in the country.

The CCEA approved the modifications in the guidelines of SMEs cluster programme, which will help enhance the sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of SMEs.

'The outcomes of cluster development initiatives would cover more enterprises for developmental interventions, help increase production and turnover, besides generating additional employment and enhancing exports,' said an official statement issued after the CCEA meeting.

The government has allocated Rs.303.63 crore for the 11th plan period (2007-12) for SMEs Cluster Development Programme.

The CCEA decided to enhance maximum project cost for Common Facility Centre for SMEs from Rs.10 crore to Rs.15 crore and project cost for Infrastructure Development from Rs.5 crore to Rs.10 crore.

Also project cost for soft interventions has been increased from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.25 lakh.