Government e-Market (GeM) milestone achieved | UPSC

Government e-Market (GeM) has achieved a significant milestone by crossing the Rs 4 lakh crore mark in procurement for the current fiscal year.

About GeM:

• GeM is an online platform established to streamline the purchase of goods and services by all government agencies.
• Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GeM represents a bold initiative aimed at revolutionizing procurement processes across ministries, departments, public sector undertakings, and other apex autonomous bodies of the Central Government.
• It serves as an open and transparent procurement platform, replacing the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D).
• It operates as a completely paperless, cashless, and system-driven e-marketplace, facilitating procurement with minimal human interface.
• Sellers on GeM are mandated to display the ‘country of origin’ on products, ensuring transparency in purchasing decisions.
• Mandated by Rule 149 of the General Financial Rules 2017, GeM is the designated portal for procurement by ministries, government agencies, and Public Sector Enterprises, with state governments also encouraged to utilize the platform.

Objective:

• GeM operates on three key pillars: Efficiency, Transparency, and Inclusiveness, making business transactions quick, easy, and accessible to all.
• It fosters inclusivity by allowing anyone to conduct business on the platform, ensures efficiency in operations, and promotes transparency in business practices.
• It aims to enhance openness, effectiveness, and speed in public procurement, offering various procurement methods like direct purchase, electronic bidding, and reverse auctions.
• It enables economies of scale, efficient price discovery, and dissemination of best practices.

Advantages of GeM:

For Buyers:

• Extensive product listings for various categories of goods and services.
• Search, compare, select, and purchase goods and services online as needed.
• Transparent and easy procurement process.
• Continuous vendor rating system.
• User-friendly dashboard for buying and monitoring supplies and payments.
• Hassle-free return policy.

For Sellers:

• Direct access to all government departments.
• Simplified marketing efforts with a one-stop shop platform.
• Access to bids and reverse auctions for products/services.
• Facility for suggesting new products.
• Dynamic pricing based on market conditions.
• Seller-friendly dashboard for selling and monitoring supplies and payments.
• Consistent and uniform purchase procedures.

Ref: Source

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