The procurement of goods and services through the government’s portal GeM has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore so far this fiscal, attributed to increased buying activities by various ministries and departments, according to a senior government official. GeM, short for Government e-Market, was launched on August 9, 2016, to facilitate online purchases of goods and services by all central government ministries and departments.
As of March 28, the procurement on GeM has surpassed Rs 4 lakh crore, marking a historic milestone, stated GeM CEO P K Singh. Notably, the defence sector has significantly contributed to this figure, with various goods and services being procured through the platform, including services related to the assembly of the BrahMos missile.
In the fiscal year 2021-22, the procurement value on GeM stood at Rs 1.06 lakh crore, which doubled to over Rs 2 lakh crore in the last financial year. This fiscal year, the procurement of services from the portal has surged from Rs 66,000 crore to Rs 2.05 lakh crore, while goods worth Rs 1.95 lakh crore have been purchased.
Regarding the possibility of opening the portal to consumers at large, Singh mentioned that it is a separate ecosystem and the government is considering it. He also highlighted the interest from countries in Africa and South East Asia in adopting a similar procurement platform and the potential for GeM to provide consultancy services in this regard.
GeM aims to become the unified procurement portal of the country, and efforts are underway to include works contracts in addition to goods and services. Singh noted the dedicated page for election-related goods and services on the portal and engagement with various states and Union Territories for procurement activities.
With over 1.5 lakh government buyers and 62 lakh sellers and service providers, GeM offers a wide range of products and services, including office stationery, vehicles, automobiles, computers, and office furniture. Services such as transportation, logistics, waste management, and webcasting are also available on the platform, making it a comprehensive solution for government procurement needs.
