Directorate of Industries Kashmir hosts workshop on resolving MSME payment delays

Srinagar, June 13: A training workshop aimed at enhancing the digital dispute resolution capabilities of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) was held today at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Sanat Ghar, Bemina. The session, conducted by senior officials from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, brought together key stakeholders and officials from the Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council (MSEFC), Kashmir Division.

The Director, Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, Khalid Majeed, addressed the participants and underscored the vital importance of timely payments in sustaining small businesses.

He stressed that capacity-building initiatives such as this workshop are critical in developing institutional mechanisms for efficient redressal of disputes, especially concerning delayed payments.

The workshop focused on the newly introduced Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Portal—an initiative under the World Bank-supported RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) program. The ODR platform is integrated with the Samadhaan Portal and is designed to provide a simple, transparent, and cost-effective means for MSMEs to report and resolve payment-related disputes. The shift to a digital format is expected to significantly reduce the time and cost typically associated with legal proceedings.

Participants were familiarised with the key features of the ODR portal, the process of filing disputes, its integration with other government platforms, and the broader advantages of adopting digital over traditional redressal methods.

The Director reaffirmed the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s commitment to supporting the MSME sector and urged stakeholders to actively use the portal to safeguard their financial interests. He emphasised that institutionalising such digital solutions will not only improve the ease of doing business but will also build trust and accountability in the trade ecosystem.