Why in the news-

• The government’s procurement portal, GeM (Government e-Marketplace), is looking to encourage more and more start-ups and small and micro enterprises to list themselves as sellers.

About Government e-Marketplace (GeM) 

• The GeM is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments / Organizations / PSUs.
• It was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• It has been developed by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (under MCI) with technical support from the National e-governance Division (MEITy).

Functions for GeM

• Enhancement of Public Procurement: GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and speed in public procurement processes.
• Paperless and Cashless Transactions: It is a completely paperless, cashless, and system-driven e-marketplace that enables procurement of common-use goods and services with minimal human interface.
• Facilitation of Best Value: GeM provides the tools of e-bidding, reverse e-auction, and demand aggregation to facilitate government users in achieving the best value for their money.
• Mandatory Purchases by Government Users: The purchases through GeM by Government users have been authorized and made mandatory by the Ministry of Finance by adding a new Rule No. 149 in the General Financial Rules, 2017.

Key Developments on GeM:

• GeM Outlet Stores: GeM has introduced outlet stores for various product categories like SARAS, Ajeevika, Tribes India, Startup Runway, Khadi India, India Handloom, India Handicraft, Divyangjan, etc.
• Bamboo Market Window: GeM, in collaboration with the National Bamboo Mission, has introduced a dedicated window on its portal for marketing Bamboo Goods.
• Country of Origin Tag: Since 2020, the government has made it mandatory for sellers on the GeM portal to clarify the country of origin of their goods when registering new products.

PYQ:

Q.‘SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at (2016) –

1. Promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas
2. Providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs
3. Promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
4. Providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free

Practice MCQ:

With reference to the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), consider the following statements:

1. It is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal launched in 2016.
2. It is developed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

Select the correct option:

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

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