Barmer, April 1 -- Tribal and desert districts in Rajasthan have received the least financial aid under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), exposing stark regional imbalances in support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Data tabled in the Rajya Sabha shows districts such as Pratapgarh, Karauli, Jaisalmer, Baran, Dausa and Dholpur at the bottom for loan guarantees and assistance. Over the past three years, these areas received between Rs.30 crore and Rs.70 crore-far below major industrial centres. Jaipur alone got Rs.4,541 crore across 53,905 guarantees, while Jodhpur secured Rs.1,347 crore through 22,176. Other top beneficiaries included Ajmer (Rs.949 crore), Bhilwara (Rs.861 crore), Alwar (Rs.786 crore), Udaipur (Rs.741 crore) and Kota (Rs.540 crore). The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by MP Rajendra Gehlot, who sought detailed district-wise information on the status of applications under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Fund for Rajasthan'. He specifically asked for data on MSME applications received, approved, rejected and pending over the last three years, along with equity assistance details under the Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund-including approvals, disbursements and processing timelines. Minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises Shobha Karandlaje replied with overall assistance figures under ECLGS and SRI Fund, plus district-wise loan guarantees, but omitted a breakdown of application approvals and rejections. This disparity reflects deeper structural issues. Low-performing districts lie in tribal belts or arid desert regions with weak industrial infrastructure and limited MSME activity. In tribal areas like Pratapgarh and Dungarpur, reliance on agriculture and traditional livelihoods has curbed formal enterprises and access to institutional credit. Desert districts such as Jaisalmer and Baran face geographical hurdles, sparse populations and absent industrial ecosystems, hampering business expansion and policy uptake despite repeated interventions aimed at drawing investment. The data questions ECLGS implementation at the grassroots. While ECLGS and similar initiatives were introduced to provide relief during the COVID-19 crisis-with guarantees to banks reducing lending risks amid cash flow shortages, falling demand and shutdowns-their benefits have concentrated in relatively developed districts with stronger financial networks and higher awareness among entrepreneurs. The scheme was designed to support stressed MSMEs by enabling working capital for salaries and restarts, preventing closures and stabilising jobs in this key economic driver. Yet ground realities show benefits largely bypassing needy tribal and desert areas with weaker MSME presence and limited formal credit access, raising doubts over the demand-driven model's inclusiveness. Responding to the issues, Mukesh Vadera, member of Laghu Udhyaog Vypaar Mandal in Barmer, said, "The data shows MSME schemes are benefiting already developed districts with strong industrial and banking networks. Areas like Jaipur and Jodhpur naturally attract more funds, while tribal and desert districts lag due to weak infrastructure and low awareness. This is a structural gap, not just a funding issue." "Without targeted intervention, better outreach and easier access to credit, these backward regions will continue to miss out on the benefits of such schemes," Vadera added....