Government-e-Marketplace (GeM):
The Union Cabinet cleared a proposal allowing cooperatives to sell products on the Government-e-Marketplace (GeM) platform in a transparent manner.
- The move will benefit 27 crore people associated with 8.5 lakh cooperatives.
- The micro and medium small industries will get buyers and it will boost the prospects of “Vocal for local” and Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
- The cooperatives may, however, be charged a transaction fee to cover the incremental costs.
- The validated list of cooperatives to be onboarded on the GeM — for pilot as well as subsequent scale-up — will be decided by the Ministry of Cooperation in consultation with the GeM SPV [Special Purpose Vehicle].
- The GeM started in 2017 is a one-stop portal to facilitate online procurement of commonly used goods and services.
- The portal is open for all government buyers — Union and State Ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, autonomous institutions, local bodies and so on.
- Private buyers cannot buy on the platform but private people can sell products to government bodies through the portal.
