3 zonal offices for grievance redressal: Relief for Kerala MSMEs awaiting payment of arrears

Kochi:  The state revenue ministry has ordered the setting up of three zonal facilitation councils for the redressal of the grievances of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).  The intent behind the decision is to resolve problems faced by MSMEs in the state in a timely manner.  

MSME facilitation council has been acting as a committee to adjudicate complaints regarding payment arrears for the supply of goods to government, public, and private sectors. The Council holds the legal authority to collect the pending payments upon complaints by MSMEs if the latter has not received payment within 45 days of distributing goods. 

However, many such grievances of MSMEs are pending in the facilitation council. It is due to this backlog that the revenue department has decided to split the council into three zones. 

Acting President of the Kerala State Small Industries Association (KSSIA) A Nissaruddin said that over 500 cases remain pending in the facilitation council regarding the sale of goods by small enterprises and the dues come up to Rs 500 crores. 

The headquarters of the northern, central, and southern zones will be District Industries Centres in Kozhikode, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram, respectively.