“What they have done is to start with regular items which various government departments will need. They are just putting it on their portal,” Ms Sitharaman said citing some examples. For instance, if a ministry or department wants a computer with a particular specification, various brands and specifications would be displayed on the portal with cost.
Through this portal all the government departments and ministries can procure goods, she said adding "the prices are going to be there, it is for you to say how many units you want".
The minister said it is just a beginning and the list will get expanded in the long term. “By March next year, we want to make it comprehensive. So this is one way to make government procurement absolutely transparent," she explained.
To ensure optimum use of the facility, i.e. e-market place, and its success, the DGS&D advised the departments to upload the demands of commonly used goods and services required by them. This would help aggregate the demand leading to lower prices, better choices and faster procurement, the minister said. (SH)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India