Bengaluru: Karnataka has emerged as the top beneficiary of the government's Self-Reliant India (SRI) fund, with 151 investee companies, the highest in India.

According to a reply in the Lok Sabha by Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for MSMEs, as cited by Deccan Herald on Friday, the state has outpaced others in benefitting from the fund.

The SRI fund was launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in 2020, as part of a Rs 50,000 crore equity infusion for MSMEs through the Fund of Funds. While most states and Union Territories have seen limited participation, Maharashtra follows closely with 144 investee companies. Overall, 577 companies across India have benefited from the SRI fund since its inception.

Under the operationalisation of this central sector fund, sixty daughter funds have been empanelled including Tata Capital, IDBI Capital, SIDBI Venture, ICICI Venture, amongst others, the report added. As of now, Rs 10,979 crore has been invested, assisting 577 companies across the country.

However, approximately 35,567 MSMEs registered on the Udyam Portal have shut down during the current financial year (2024-25), as of February 28. Several factors, including complex and unfavourable policies, shortage of raw materials, and skilled labor, have been cited as contributing to the closures.

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Mumbai, May 10 (PTI): Amid heightened security concerns in the country, the Sai Baba temple trust at Shirdi in Maharashtra has decided not to allow garland, bouquets and shawls to brought inside the temple complex.

The famous temple which draws millions of devotees every year had received a threatening email last week.

Goraksh Gadilkar, a member of the Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, said devotees will be searched before entering the temple.

"The Sansthan received a threat email on May 2. In view of India-Pakistan tensions and the security alert across the country, flowers, garlands, prasad and shawls will not be allowed inside," he told PTI.

The Ahilyanagar district police have also made some suggestions to enhance the security of the temple.

On Friday, the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai said it will not allow garlands, prasad and coconuts inside from May 11.