CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY AWARDS 2021

• Government e Marketplace (GeM) was announced as the winner in the Best Use of Digital Technology category at the CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards 2021 (CIPS Awards).
• GeM was shortlisted as a finalist in two additional categories as well, i.e., ‘Public Procurement Project of the Year’ and ‘Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supply Base’.

Important points:

• It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best work and teams in the procurement profession.
• The awards are conducted under the aegis of The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), London.
• CIPS is a global not-for-profit organisation and professional body dedicated to promoting good practices in procurement and supply management, with a community across 150 countries.

GeM:

• GeM is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Central and State Government Departments/Organizations/Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
• The procurement of goods and services by Ministries and the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) is mandatory for goods and services available on GeM.
• It also provides the tools of e-bidding and reverse e-auction to facilitate the government users achieve the best value for their money.
• At present, GeM has more than 30 lakh products, over Rs. 10 lakh crore worth of transactions have happened so far at the portal.
• Launched in 2016 to bring transparency and efficiency in the government buying process.
• Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Significance:

• Enables transparent and Cost-effective Procurement
• Promotes India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Policy
• Facilitates entry of small local sellers in Public Procurement.
• Facilitates online marketplace to aggregate demand from multiple entities for similar products.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT