Gangtok: The Government of Sikkim has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government e Marketplace (GeM), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to enhance the adoption of the GeM platform for public procurement across various government departments. This partnership marks a significant milestone, as GeM now covers all states and Union Territories of India.
The MoU signing ceremony, held in Gangtok, was presided over by Shri Vijay Bhushan Pathak, Chief Secretary of Sikkim, while GeM was represented by Shri A.V. Muralidharan, Chief Buyer Officer (States and UTs). Other dignitaries included Shri Tarun Kumar Sharma, Chief Accounts Officer of the Home Department, and several senior officials from both the Government of Sikkim and GeM.
As of October 23, 2024, the Government of Sikkim has procured goods and services worth approximately ₹90 crore through the GeM platform. The MoU aims to further streamline procurement processes by providing training, handholding, and capacity-building programs for state departments. Additionally, there are currently 3,078 Sikkim-based sellers on the GeM portal, with 2,720 registered as micro sellers, contributing to orders worth ₹182 crore.
GeM has revolutionized public procurement in India by ensuring transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity. The platform has surpassed the ₹4 lakh crore mark in procurement for the fiscal year 2023-24, and this new partnership with Sikkim will further enhance the participation of local sellers and state buyers.
With plans for additional seller onboarding programs in collaboration with the MSME Department of Sikkim, the initiative is set to bolster economic growth in the region while enhancing the transparency of procurement processes.