Member, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), Shri Binoy Kumar emphasized the crucial role of a streamlined public procurement system in ensuring procurement of goods and service through an efficient, transparent and inclusive process for a democracy like India.

A function was held yesterday in New Delhi to commemorate the incorporation of Government e- Marketplace (GeM) as a 100 percent not-for-profit Company on 17th May, 2017. Member, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), Shri Binoy Kumar graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Shri Binoy Kumar emphasized the crucial role of a streamlined public procurement system in ensuring procurement of goods and service through an efficient, transparent and inclusive process for a democracy like India. He complimented the GeM team on their hard work in building a strong foundation for a unified public procurement portal and applauded the efforts of GeM in achieving new milestones in such a short time span.

CEO, GeM, Shri P.K. Singh, spoke about the initiatives undertaken by GeM to promote the participation of Government buyers, namely; Central Ministries, State Departments, Public Sector Enterprises (PSE), and the recently on boarded Cooperative Societies and Gram Panchayats. He also spoke about the need to introspect as to how we can be even better in days to come and spoke about the ensuing Chintan Shivir, a workshop to identify problem areas and find innovative solutions to address such problems.

The event commemorated the journey of GeM in transforming public procurement along with the launch of the rebranded GeM Outlet Stores as #vocalforlocal GeM Outlet Stores. During the pandemic, GeM had facilitated e-market linkages for under-served seller groups, namely women, SC/ ST and tribal entrepreneurs, Startups, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE), artisans & weavers, khadi weaver and bamboo producers etc., sans intermediaries through the launch of the GeM Outlet Stores as a viable alternative from the legacy of traditional fairs and exhibitions.

GeM worked closely with various Ministries to develop 8 “GeM Outlet Stores” and has provided access to markets through its dedicated product categories and online stores for under-served seller groups in rural India to promote #vocalforlocal and Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan initiatives of the Government. In the process, GeM has pioneered a unique approach for the social and financial inclusion of under-served seller groups in public procurement markets, and remains committed to delivering on the objectives outlined in #vocalforlocal and “Make In India” thereby ensuring a self- reliant “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. The event culminated with the distribution of awards to GeM employees for their outstanding contribution.

Since its inception in 2016, the portal has registered 68K Government buyers and 61.81 lakh+ sellers and service-providers who have listed 31.14 lakh+ products in 11,567 product categories and 2,44,787 service catalogues and 293 service categories. Further, 1.51 Crore orders worth 4.15 lakh Crore in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) have been fulfilled, till date. In FY 2022-23, GeM achieved the unique milestone of fulfilling 50 lakh+ orders worth Rs. 2 lakh Crore in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in a single year. Interestingly, 52.54 percent (%) or Rs. 2.18 lakh Crore of the cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) totaling Rs. 4.15 lakh Crore on the portal has been fulfilled by micro and small entrepreneurs (MSE) sellers.

Public procurement modernization via a unified e marketplace expands supplier inclusion and market access for under served vendors. Public procurement modernization is pursued via the Government e Marketplace (GeM) as a unified, not for profit procurement portal integrating central and state buyers, public enterprises, cooperatives and local bodies to enhance efficiency and transparency. GeM implements supplier inclusion measures-dedicated outlet stores and product categories for under served groups (women, SC/ST, tribal entrepreneurs, startups, micro and small enterprises, artisans and local producers)-to secure social and financial inclusion, expand market access for local suppliers, and advance national local sourcing and self reliance objectives.