Chhattisgarh wins GeM Sustainable Procurement Award for transparent governance
Chhattisgarh Honored with GeM Sustainable Procurement Award for Transparent Governance
Bharatmorningnews.com – The state of Chhattisgarh has been recognized with the prestigious GeM Sustainable Procurement Award, acknowledging its commitment to modernizing government purchasing through technology and transparency. The honor was bestowed during the Government e-Marketplace’s 10th anniversary celebrations held in the nation’s capital, New Delhi.
Record-Breaking Procurement Growth
During the financial year 2025-26, the state’s procurement activities via the GeM platform surged past the ₹3,935 crore mark, representing more than a twofold increase from earlier periods. Officials noted that this 113 percent expansion reflects growing confidence among various departments, corporations, and local bodies in utilizing the digital marketplace for their purchasing needs.
According to state authorities, this heightened adoption has successfully shifted a substantial portion of public procurement onto a unified digital infrastructure. The system facilitates transparent pricing mechanisms, encourages competitive bidding, and maintains comprehensive audit trails for all transactions.
Award Recognition and Leadership Response
Chhattisgarh received this distinction under the Premier Awards within the State Government Felicitation category, recognizing its consistent dedication to expanding GeM usage alongside measurable growth in both procurement value and volume. The ceremony, themed “GeM 10: A Decade of Exponential Possibilities,” featured Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal alongside other senior government dignitaries.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the officers and employees involved in the achievement. He said the recognition reflected the state’s focus on transparency, accountability and efficient use of public funds.
Financial Savings and Competitive Advantages
The state government reported that competitive bidding mechanisms on GeM generated approximately ₹130 crore in savings during FY 2025-26 alone. These financial benefits emerged through effective price discovery processes involving qualified sellers who actively participated in the digital procurement ecosystem.
Looking at a broader timeframe, cumulative savings across three consecutive financial years have totaled ₹235 crore. Government representatives emphasized that open bidding procedures, standardized technical specifications, and comprehensive digital record-keeping have collectively enhanced transparency while enabling departments to systematically compare pricing options and select appropriate suppliers.
Supporting Micro and Small Enterprises
The digital transformation of procurement has significantly boosted participation from micro and small enterprises. Purchases from MSEs climbed by 61 percent to reach ₹1,800 crore in FY 2025-26, comfortably surpassing the government’s mandated 25 percent procurement target for these businesses.
State officials explained that GeM access enables smaller enterprises to engage directly with government demand through the digital marketplace. This arrangement reduces reliance on intermediaries while expanding market reach for products and services offered by these businesses.
Additionally, the state is currently reviewing existing procurement procedures and tender specifications to ensure quality requirements are balanced with enhanced competition among suppliers.
Growth Across Diverse Enterprise Categories
Chhattisgarh witnessed remarkable expansion in procurement from various enterprise categories during FY 2025-26. Women entrepreneurs saw their procurement share increase by 97 percent, while orders directed to SC/ST entrepreneurs grew by 108 percent. Startups achieved the most substantial growth among all categories, with procurement rising by an impressive 178 percent.
Rajat Kumar, Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, said GeM had created a direct route to government demand for enterprises across the state. He said the platform provides a common entry point where supplier capability and competitiveness can determine procurement outcomes.
Future Directions
The state government views this GeM recognition as part of its comprehensive strategy to leverage technology for streamlining administrative operations, reinforcing accountability mechanisms, and optimizing public resource utilization.
Looking ahead, officials plan to extend GeM adoption across additional departments and institutions while actively encouraging greater participation from MSMEs, startups, and local enterprises in public procurement activities.
The state maintains that the convergence of elevated digital procurement levels, substantial financial savings, and expanded involvement from emerging businesses illustrates the transformative potential of technology-driven procurement systems in enhancing operational efficiency while generating broader economic opportunities across the region.
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