Ambala: Reiterating his commitment to the financial stability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the protection of employment, Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma raised the critical issue of delayed payments to MSMEs by large corporates, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and govt departments in Parliament. Through a starred question, Sharma sought clarity from the govt on the actual status of pending dues to MSMEs, year-wise details of cases pending on the MSME Samadhaan Portal, action taken against habitual defaulters, and concrete measures to address the working capital crisis faced by MSMEs due to payment delays.Responding in the Rajya Sabha, the govt presented a factual and data-based reply, outlining robust legal, financial and technology-driven mechanisms to tackle delayed payments. According to official data, out of a total Rs 17,400.13 crore payable by CPSEs to MSMEs, an amount of Rs 14,744.54 crore was already paid. As of Feb 4, 2026, the outstanding dues stood at Rs 2,655.60 crore. The govt also tabled year-wise details of pending cases and amounts on the MSME Samadhaan Portal for the last 3 years.
The govt highlighted strict enforcement provisions to ensure timely payments. Payments delayed beyond 45 days are allowed as income-tax deductions only on actual payment. Companies are also mandated to make half-yearly disclosures of outstanding MSME dues. Under the MSMED Act, delayed payments attract compound interest at 3 times the RBI bank rate, calculated on a monthly basis.To ensure faster dispute resolution, a digital online dispute resolution system was implemented, under which all new delayed payment cases are now filed online, making the process faster, transparent and cost-effective.Addressing MSMEs’ working capital constraints, the govt reported significant expansion in invoice financing through the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) over the past 3 years. Budget announcements made TReDS mandatory for CPSEs, provided credit guarantees for invoice discounting, and enabled the linking of govt procurement data with financial institutions.The govt also highlighted additional initiatives for MSMEs, including credit-linked subsidies, equity funding support, enhanced credit guarantee limits, higher loan limits for exporter MSMEs, and customised credit cards for micro enterprises registered on the Udyam Portal. Welcoming the govt’s response, MP Kartikeya said that MSME failures are not due to lack of capability, but because of cash flow disruptions.“Timely payment is the lifeline of MSMEs. Only strict enforcement, transparent systems and easy access to finance can protect jobs and strengthen supply chains,” he said.MP Kartikeya further stressed that continuous parliamentary oversight and data-driven policymaking are essential to empower MSMEs and keep them as a strong backbone of India’s economy.Calls for Official Status for E-Sports, Seeks Regulation of Online GamingRaising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, MP Kartikeya Sharma urged the govt to grant official sport status to e-sports and to formulate a comprehensive regulatory framework for online gaming. He said the issue is closely linked to youth employment, the digital economy and the safety of children, not merely entertainment. Describing electronic gaming as a fast-growing digital frontier with both opportunities and risks, Sharma noted that India’s creative, or “orange”, economy is currently valued at around USD 30 billion and provides employment to nearly 8 percent of the working population, making it a key pillar of the govt’s USD 1 trillion digital economy goal. He pointed out that India has the world’s largest gaming audience, with over 500 million amateur gamers and several lakh professional players. The Indian gaming market, presently worth USD 3.7 billion, is projected to reach USD 10 billion by 2030, while the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics (AVGC) sector will require nearly 20 lakh skilled professionals.Sharma said official recognition of e-sports would enable structured professional leagues, recognised competitions and organised training, creating credible career options for youth. He also warned against unregulated online gaming, citing clinical studies linking excessive gaming to addiction, anxiety, depression and cases of self-harm among children.Calling child safety a moral responsibility, he sought mandatory game audits and a holistic regulatory framework covering development, publishing and streaming platforms. He welcomed the Union Budget proposal to set up AVGC labs in 15,000 schools, terming it a positive first step.MSID:: 128162171 413 |
