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Kuniya Institute of IAS Examination

Mains – 28th Oct 23

Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

Why in News?

  • While the Ministry of S&T has announced its intent to galvanise research in India through the National Research Foundation Bill 2023, scientists say that the mandatory procurement via GeM is a major stumbling block.
  • This is impeding the sourcing of equipment and materials necessary for research.

What is the Government e-Marketplace (GeM)?

  • GeM is an online platform for public procurement, launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), Government of India.
  • It was created with the objective to create an open and transparent procurement platform for government buyers to facilitate the online procurement of goods and services.
  • The purchases through GeM by Government users have been authorised and made mandatory by the Ministry of Finance under the General Financial Rules, 2017.
  • The platform is owned by GeM SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) which is a 100% Government-owned, non-profit company under the MoC&I.
  • The portal features over 11,000 product categories with more than 29 lakh listed products, as well as over 270 service categories with more than 2.5 lakh service offerings.

What are the Features of GeM?

  • GeM is a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface, thus, brings in transparency.
  • Being an open platform, GeM offers no entry barriers to bonafide suppliers who wish to do business with the Government.
  • Seamless processes and online time-bound payment has given confidence to the vendors and reduced their ‘administrative’ cost.

Significance of the GeM Portal:

  • The minimum savings on the platform are about 10%, which translates into a savings of over ₹ 30,000 crore worth of public money.
  • GeM gives Indian MSMEs a relative advantage over foreign suppliers of products, and promotes the government’s Make in India initiative.

 

 

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Why in the news?

Recently, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj released its report on PMGSY.

 

About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

  • Launched in 2000 to provide connectivity, by way of an all-weather road to unconnected habitations.
  • Unconnected habitations of designated population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-Eastern States, Himalayan States, Deserts and Tribal Areas as per 2001 census) in the core network (minimal network of roads that is essential to provide basic needs) for uplifting the socio-economic condition of the rural population are eligible under the scheme.
  • Funding Pattern
    • It is centrally sponsored scheme.
    • In case of UT and NE & Himalayan states – 90% of the project cost by UG
    • In case of other states – 60% of the project cost by UG.
  • The Rural Roads constructed under the PMGSY will be in accordance with the provision of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC).
    • Indian Roads Congress is the premier technical body of highway engineers which was formed in 1934 as India’s national body for laying down and designing standards for roads and highway construction and provides a stage for exchanging expertise and latest research developments relating to it.