New Delhi:  In the last eight years, Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has made the market opportunities transparent under Make in India. By eliminating the middleman system, a big platform has been provided to startups and small businessmen through new technology. Along with micro and small industries, women entrepreneurs have also been given an opportunity to move ahead strongly in the market.

So far, more than 26,500 startups have done business of more than 29 thousand crores through GEM. In the financial year 23-24 alone, orders worth more than 97 thousand were completed by startups on the GEM portal.

Gem Portal was launched in 2016

The GeM portal was launched in September 2016 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' vision. The objective was to develop infrastructure through innovation in business to support the country's progress. Make in India criteria have been made mandatory for listing products and services in the portal, making it easier to identify and prioritize local manufacturers.

GEM has expanded the business scope of women, SC-ST, MSMEs, artisans, weavers, craftsmen, self-help groups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives through Vocal for Local stores.

Gem portal is growing rapidly

Additional Chief Executive Officer of Gem, Ajit B. Chavan said that the number of bids with an estimated value of more than five lakhs is constantly increasing. Till just three years ago, 39 percent of the bids invited by government organizations on the Gem portal were for "Make in India", which has now increased to 81 percent (till September 2024).

According to Chavan, reduction in transaction charges is an effort to create equal opportunities for all so that a seamless system of public procurement can be developed.

Under the general conditions of GEM, all ministries, departments and public sector undertakings of the central government are bound to make purchases from vendors registered on the portal. States are also being urged to adopt the system of the GEM portal. To encourage domestic industries, Make in India filter is also available on the GEM portal, so that buyers can easily get information about the products. Huge reduction in transaction charges

Big relief to small enterprises

Giving a big relief to small enterprises, GeM has reduced its transaction charges by 96 percent in one go. There is no charge on orders less than ten lakhs. Earlier this limit was five lakhs. Last year, there was zero charge on 97 percent of transactions.

Only 0.30 percent of the order value will be charged for orders between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 10 crore. Earlier, it was 0.45 percent. For orders above Rs 10 crore, a maximum fee of Rs 3 lakh will have to be paid, which was Rs 72.5 lakh earlier. The maximum fee will not exceed Rs 3 lakh, irrespective of the size of the order.