The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reached a significant milestone, surpassing the ₹1 Lakh Crore mark in total order value transacted through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. This achievement, also referred to as the Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), includes transactions worth around ₹45,800 Crore awarded in the current financial year. The MoD has utilized GeM for a wide range of procurements, from general store items like eggs to missile systems and critical defence acquisitions, cumulatively executing over 5.47 lakh orders.
CEO of GeM, Shri P. K. Singh, acknowledged that the Ministry is the first central government entity to cross this impressive figure. This milestone reflects the Ministry’s dedication to optimizing public spending in the Defence sector and aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India.
In keeping with GeM’s commitment to social inclusion, 50.7% of the total orders, amounting to ₹60,593 Crore, have been awarded to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) by MoD buyers. This initiative significantly contributes to driving India’s economy towards self-reliance.
The MoD has been an early adopter and a strong advocate of the GeM platform since its inception. The confidence placed in the portal by nearly 19,800 MoD buyers nationwide, including in remote and far-flung areas like the North-Eastern States, Leh-Ladakh, and various Island Territories, has been instrumental in achieving this remarkable milestone.
The engagement of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) on the GeM platform has facilitated both procurement and sales, indicating a major shift in the procurement landscape. GeM’s initiatives, such as demand aggregation modules, have ensured cost-effectiveness and efficiency in government transactions. By pooling requirements for similar products across different organizations, GeM maximizes the benefits of large-volume procurement for buyers like the Ministry of Defence, showcasing its commitment to transformative change in government procurement practices.