The Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), organised a National Workshop on Electronic Procurement at the esteemed India Habitat Centre on 27th March 2023. This conference aimed to address the evolving needs and expectations in public procurement, focusing on key aspects of electronic procurement and fostering fairness, efficiency, and transparency. The event brought together eminent figures from various sectors, including leading public procurement portals such as GeM, Railways, and GePNIC. The inaugural session witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities, including Shri Rajesh Gera, Director General of NIC, and Shri Prashant Kumar, CEO of GeM. Shri Rajesh Gera shed light on the exceptional features of the eProcurement system and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. He emphasised the pivotal role played by the eProcurement system in the government, streamlining procurement processes and enhancing efficiency. Shri Prashant Kumar, in his address, provided valuable insights into GeM, highlighting its key features and the incorporation of new functionalities. GeM has revolutionised public procurement in India, serving as a unified platform for government organisations to procure goods and services effortlessly. The CEO’s speech underscored the continuous efforts to enhance GeM and make it more user-friendly and efficient. Shri Sanjay Aggarwal, Advisor to the Procurement Policy Division (PPD) in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, discussed the journey and future road map of the eProcurement system. His address shed light on the remarkable progress made in electronic procurement and highlighted the government’s commitment to further enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. A significant highlight of the workshop was the release of the GePNIC compendium by Shri Rajesh Gera, DG, NIC. This compendium encapsulates the journey of the Government eProcurement System, showcasing its growth, achievements, and impact on public procurement in India. It serves as a valuable resource for organisations seeking to leverage the eProcurement platform for exceptional results. The National Workshop on Electronic Procurement served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts and stakeholders in the field. Eminent speakers from GeM, Indian Railways, the World Bank, and users across central government, state governments, and central public sector entities shared their insights and experiences. Furthermore, the workshop recognized and awarded entities that have demonstrated outstanding performance and leveraged the eProcurement platform effectively. Awards were presented to entities, which have exemplified the transformative power of electronic procurement in achieving exceptional results.
In the News
National Conference on Electronic Procurement to address evolving needs in Public Procurement
From July 2023 • Informatics, National Informatics Centre