Press Release
Press Release from Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim
Information & Public Relations Department
The Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the SEED Cell, organized an ODR (Online Dispute Resolution) Awareness Workshop on the 2nd of June to promote faster, cost-effective, technology-driven dispute resolution for businesses.
The workshop brought together MSMEs, hoteliers, contractors, entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical companies, and small business owners from across the State to raise awareness about Online Dispute Resolution and its role in resolving commercial disputes efficiently while strengthening business continuity.
The programme was graced by Ms. Karma D. Youtso, Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, as Chief Guest. Distinguished attendees included M. Ravikumar, Director (MSME), Rewaj Chettri, OSD to HCM (Entrepreneurship & Skill Development), and Dr. Raj Lama, President, SEED Cell.
Addressing participants, Ms. Karma D. Youtso highlighted the transformative role of technology-enabled dispute resolution in creating a business-friendly environment and encouraged enterprises to adopt digital platforms for faster, transparent, and efficient conflict resolution. She emphasized innovation, digital governance, and timely dispute resolution as key drivers of Ease of Doing Business and sustainable economic growth.
M. Ravikumar, Director (MSME), stressed the importance of the ODR framework for local MSMEs, noting that it offers a free, online, accessible, and efficient mechanism for resolving delayed payment disputes under the MSMED Act, 2006. He also outlined the powers and functions of the MSME Facilitation Council (MSEFC) in conciliation and delayed payment claim resolution.
A technical session by Advocate Tanushree Thapa, Legal Consultant (MSEFC–ODR), Commerce & Industries Department, covered the ODR framework, legal safeguards for MSMEs, documentation requirements, and a live walkthrough of the ODR Portal, including claim filing, document uploads, case tracking, digital notices, and online conciliation proceedings.
Rewaj Chettri, OSD to HCM (Entrepreneurship & Skill Development), highlighted State and Central Government initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, skill development, and enterprise growth, encouraging entrepreneurs to utilize available schemes and support mechanisms.
The workshop witnessed active participation from MSME stakeholders, industry representatives, and entrepreneurs. It concluded with a reaffirmation of the Government of Sikkim’s commitment to promoting accessible, transparent, and technology-driven dispute resolution through the MSEFC and ODR Portal, strengthening the State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The workshop brought together MSMEs, hoteliers, contractors, entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical companies, and small business owners from across the State to raise awareness about Online Dispute Resolution and its role in resolving commercial disputes efficiently while strengthening business continuity.
The programme was graced by Ms. Karma D. Youtso, Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, as Chief Guest. Distinguished attendees included M. Ravikumar, Director (MSME), Rewaj Chettri, OSD to HCM (Entrepreneurship & Skill Development), and Dr. Raj Lama, President, SEED Cell.
Addressing participants, Ms. Karma D. Youtso highlighted the transformative role of technology-enabled dispute resolution in creating a business-friendly environment and encouraged enterprises to adopt digital platforms for faster, transparent, and efficient conflict resolution. She emphasized innovation, digital governance, and timely dispute resolution as key drivers of Ease of Doing Business and sustainable economic growth.
M. Ravikumar, Director (MSME), stressed the importance of the ODR framework for local MSMEs, noting that it offers a free, online, accessible, and efficient mechanism for resolving delayed payment disputes under the MSMED Act, 2006. He also outlined the powers and functions of the MSME Facilitation Council (MSEFC) in conciliation and delayed payment claim resolution.
A technical session by Advocate Tanushree Thapa, Legal Consultant (MSEFC–ODR), Commerce & Industries Department, covered the ODR framework, legal safeguards for MSMEs, documentation requirements, and a live walkthrough of the ODR Portal, including claim filing, document uploads, case tracking, digital notices, and online conciliation proceedings.
Rewaj Chettri, OSD to HCM (Entrepreneurship & Skill Development), highlighted State and Central Government initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, skill development, and enterprise growth, encouraging entrepreneurs to utilize available schemes and support mechanisms.
The workshop witnessed active participation from MSME stakeholders, industry representatives, and entrepreneurs. It concluded with a reaffirmation of the Government of Sikkim’s commitment to promoting accessible, transparent, and technology-driven dispute resolution through the MSEFC and ODR Portal, strengthening the State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
