What Is Government e-Marketplace

GeM which is an acronym used for Government e-Market Place hosted by DGS&D where common goods and services can be availed. GeM is a platform that is dynamic, self sustaining and user friendly  for making procurement by Government officers.

Present government is mainly focusiing on reforms in public procurement as it forms a very important part of Government activity. Government e-Marketplace can be considered as a very bold step taken by the present Government. This step majorily aim to transform the way in which procurement of goods and services is done by the Government Ministries and Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and other apex autonomous bodies of the Central Government.

Background Of GeM

Two groups of Secretaries made recommendations to the Prime Minister of India in 2016 to establish Government e-Marketplace. The groups recommended setting up of a dedicated e-market for different goods & services procured or sold by Government/PSUs besides reforming DGS&D. After this, in the FY 2016-17, the Finance Minister in his Budget speech  announced setting up of a technology driven platform in order to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of the Government.

With technical support from National eGovernance Division (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) DGS&D has developed GeM portal for procurement of both Products & Services. On 9th August 2016, the portal was launched  by the Commerce & Industry Minister. General Financial Rules have authorized the procurement on GeM by making necessary changes in government rules.  Currently, more than 7400 products in about 150 product categories and hiring of transport service are available on GeM POC portal and transactions for more than Rs 140 Crore have already been processed through GeM.

One of the reason which makes GeM a success is the fact that it’s a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface.

Advantages Of GeM

Given below are the advantages of GeM for buyers as well as for Sellers.