News Highlights
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for expanding the mandate of GeM to allow procurement by Cooperatives as buyers of Government e Marketplace (GeM)
Benefits of Move
- The action will boost the government’s e-marketplace and give a wide range of sellers the opportunity to sell their wares to a larger buyer base.
- It will reinforce the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign and make conducting business easier by providing a wider range of goods and services to pick from.
- Through various contact centres, in-field training, and other support services, the GeM will provide technology infrastructure to support new users as well as cooperatives with onboarding and transaction journeys.
Government e Marketplace (GeM)
- Launched on – 2016
- Aim – to bring transparency and efficiency in the government buying process.
- Ministry – Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Features
- GeM is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal that allows various Central and State Government Departments/Organisations/Public Sector Undertakings to purchase common-use goods and services online (PSUs).
- It is required for Ministries and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to acquire products and services for goods and services offered on GeM.
- It also includes e-bidding and reverse e-auction features to help government users get the most bang for their buck.
Advantages for Buyers from Government e Marketplace (GeM)
- Provides a comprehensive inventory of products for specific categories of goods and services.
- Provides the ability to search, compare, choose, and buy.
- Allows you to buy goods and services online as and when you need them.
- Transparency and ease of purchase are provided.
- Ensures that the vendor rating system is up to date.
- A user-friendly dashboard for purchasing, tracking supplies, and making payments that is always up to date.
- Providing a simple return policy.
Advantages for Sellers from Government e Marketplace (GeM)
- All government departments are accessible directly.
- With minimal effort, a one-stop shop for marketing
- Bids / reverse auction on products / services in one place
- Sellers have access to a new product suggestion feature.
- Pricing that changes based on market conditions is known as dynamic pricing.
- Seller-friendly dashboard for selling and inventory and payment tracking
- Purchase methods that are consistent and uniform
Issues with Gem
- Multiple Portals: Multiple portals across Central government agencies, like as the defence procurement portal and the Indian Railways e-Procurement System, may hinder GeM’s ability to fulfil its role as the National Public Procurement Portal and deliver economies of scale and efficiency.
- Failure to Comply: It also has a difficult time getting all Central organisations to comply with Rule 149 of the General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017, which states that all common-use products and services available on the GeM portal must be bought through the platform.
Way Forward
- Integration of technology to commerce will boost economic activity as it is easier for both buyers and sellers to access the products.
Pic Courtesy : PIB
Content Source :PIB