State Awards – 2023 for Micro, Small, Medium, Large & Mega Enterprises, Best Performing Local Self Govt. Institutions and District Industries Centres

     The Year of Enterprises 2022-23 initiative of the Government of Kerala to facilitate the establishment of “One lakh new enterprise in the state in One year” had seen success with the creation of 1,39,840 new enterprises in FY 2022-23 which created over 3 lakh job opportunities and brought in Rs. 8422 Cr of investment. The focus for the FY 2023-24 is to strengthen the industrial ecosystem and to ensure that the newly created enterprises are sustained and achieving growth. As a result of various activities implemented by the Industries Department to promote entrepreneurship, more enterprises are being established in the State.In view of recognizing the contribution of enterprises and appreciating the best performers & to motivate others to strive for excellence, GoK has decided to organize the State Awards 2023 for the best enterprises/ entrepreneurs, District Industries Centers, and local bodies in the State. As part of this endeavor, awards shall be conferred to the best enterprises/ entrepreneurs, Export Units, Local Self-Governing Institutions and District Industries Centers (DIC) in the State.

     The awards shall be given to the best enterprises that have shown exemplary performance at the state and district levels. In addition to awards for enterprises operating in the manufacturing/ service/ trade sectors in micro, small, medium, large, and mega category, awards shall also be given to export enterprises, manufacturing startups and enterprises run by women/ SC/ ST/ transgender entrepreneurs. Further, Lifetime Achievement Award shall also be given to an entrepreneur in recognition of the outstanding contribution made towards the entrepreneurial and social ecosystem of the State. Awards for MSMEs, Large & Mega enterprises, and Export units are based on their performance till the FY 2021-22. Awards for best Local bodies and District Industries Centers are based on the support and services extended to industrial growth in their respective areas during the FY 2022-23 (Year of Enterprises). The nominations received from enterprises, Local bodies and DICs shall be evaluated through an objective and transparent selection system.

      An online portal has been developed for submitting the nominations (http://awards.industry.kerala.gov.in). Enterprises should submit information on their investment, annual turnover, profits, exports, no. of employees, details of certifications received, environmental sustainability practices, etc. in the online portal. Best performing enterprises shall be selected using the scoring criteria developed based on the above information. The best District industries centers and local bodies shall be selected using the scoring criteria based on information such as the number of enterprises formed at the district and local body level as part of Year of Enterprises 2022-23, number of employment opportunities created, total investment, industrial parks, performance of other schemes of the department, etc. Government of Kerala is committed to creating an ecosystem where enterprises can grow and thrive. By recognizing and appreciating the contributions of the best performing enterprises, the state government also aims to inspire other enterprises and entrepreneurs to strive for excellence. Award nominations may be submitted in the online portal from 23rd August 2023 to 23rd September 2023.

• Guidelines/criteria for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Awards (G.O.(Rt)No.1065/2024/ID), dated 05.11.2024-Click here to download
• Guidelines/criteria for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Awards (G.O.(Rt)No.723/2023/ID), dated 15.07.2023- Click here to download
  
• To apply MSME Awards- Click Here

Micro and Small Enterprise Facilitation Council (MSEFC)

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 contains provisions of Delayed Payment to Micro and Small Enterprise (MSEs). (Section 15 - 24). State Governments to establish Micro and Small Enterprise Facilitation Council (MSEFC) for settlement of disputes on getting references/filing on Delayed payments (Section 20 and 21).

Nature of assistance

MSEFC of the State after examining the case filed by MSE unit will issue directions to the buyer unit for payment of due amount along with interest as per the provisions under the MSMED Act 2006.

Who can apply?

Any Micro or small enterprise having valid EM Part -II /UAM can apply.

Salient Features

The buyer is liable to pay compound interest with the monthly rests to the supplier on the amount at the three times of the bank rate notified by RBI in case he does not make payment to the supplier for his supplies of goods or services within 45 days of the acceptance of the goods/service rendered. (Section 16)

Every reference made to MSEFC shall be decided within a period of ninety days from the date of making such a reference as per provisions laid in the Act.

If the Appellant (not being the supplier) wants to file an appeal, no application for setting aside any decree or award by the MSEFC shall be entertained by any court unless the appellant (not being supplier) has deposited with it, the 75% of the award amount. (Section 19)

Implementation

The provisions under the Act are implemented by MSEFC chaired by Director of Industries of the State /UT having administrative control of the MSE units. State Government/UTs are requested to ensure that the MSE Facilitation Council hold meetings regularly and delayed payment cases are decided by the Councils within a period of 90 days as stipulated in the MSMED Act, 2006.

Ease of filing application under MSEFC –An Initiative from Office of DC(MSME), M/o MSME

Office of DC(MSME has taken an initiative for filing online application by the supplier MSE unit against the buyer of goods/services before the concerned MSEFC of his/her State/UT. At present, the applicant MSE unit submits an application in writing to the MSEFC of his/her State/UT. The applicant sometimes is not aware of the details to be submitted before MSEFC and this also sometimes adds to the delay. Once the portal is operationalized, the supplier MSE unit can submit online application which will be viewed by the concerned MSEFC.

Micro and Small Enterprise – Cluster Development Programme (MSE- CDP)

Cluster Development Scheme is being implemented in the Micro and Small Enterprises sector in order to enhance the productivity and efficiency. The scheme aims to bring together the units in the same geographical area, producing same/similar products/services.