Focus: GS II- Government policies and Intervention
Why in News?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval for expanding the mandate of GeM to allow procurement by Cooperatives as buyers on GeM.
About Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
Nodal: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- The Government e Marketplace (GeM) was launched on August 9, 2016.
- To create an open and transparent procurement platform for Government buyers.
- A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by the name of Government e- Marketplace (GeM SPV) was set up as the National Public Procurement Portal
- It has been developed by Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) with technical support of National e-governance Division (Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology).
- It is a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface.
- At present, the platform is open for procurement by all government buyers: central and state ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, autonomous institutions, local bodies, etc.
- As per existing mandate, GeM is not available for use by private sector buyers.
- Suppliers (sellers) can be from across all segments: government or private.
The following are the objectives of the online platform:
- Easier availability of various goods and services for the government buyers.
- Create transparency in public procurement.
- Cost saving on government expenditure.
- Achieve and promote cashless transactions
