Nagaland: Ground realities do not match GeM perceptions

Special Secretary (Finance), V Kezo speaking during the programme in Kohima on January 17. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Kohima | January 17

“Our ground realities do not match the perceptions, guidelines and standards prescribed (by the Center), said Special Secretary (Finance) V Kezo today referring to the  Government e Marketplace (GeM), which was launched by the centre to bring on board more local sellers and stakeholders in the marketplace. 

“It is something all of us are learning to live with which is not very healthy because we are also not raising issues,” Kezo stated addressing the ‘National Outreach Program GeM SAMVAAD: Interaction with Buyers and Sellers’ held at the Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts, Kohima on January 17. 

Addressing the local challenges experienced by the State while complying to Central guidelines, Kezo raised crucial points with regard to the GeM as well as any other Central programs. Attended by Government departments, State Public Sector undertakings, commercial organisations, start-ups, Self- Help groups, artisans, craftspersons, the interaction also addressed the many complexities experienced in the local context.

Despite GeM being an enabling platform to bring transparency and effective procurement procedures, Kezo stated that Nagaland is experiencing difficulties despite having come aboard. “We are experiencing a paradox,” noted Kezo referring to the many complications such as lack of sellers, reluctance of buyers to register, lack of products in the local market etc.

“Procurement in the past was contentious and complex. Now the GeM provides you a platform and helps you bypass all these with readymade solution,” said Kezo who held the view that e-marketing is the future for any progressive community. 

He, however Kezo also cited complaints received from various departments on the non-availability of particular products in the local market. There is not a single representative of any manufacturer in Nagaland to deal with after sale services, Kezo pointed out, except for a few car dealer that deals with after sale services directly from its manufacturers.

“There are a lot of buyers who are very reluctant. Our Local businesses are unwilling to come on board. We have no local supplies too. Local dealers in Nagaland are essentially small time retailers. We do not have many wholesalers and stockiest except for basic commodities which does not fall into the ambit of GeM. Most of them are unable to afford the mandatory discount,” said Kezo.

He also cited experiences of a few sellers who registered under GeM and experienced loss. In what he termed as the paradoxical situation, Kezo also pointed the danger of wiping out the local businesses in the State.

With the barely existing factory and manufacturing units almost wiped out, Kezo noted that local businesses will also fail to thrive in such predicament. This is one problem that most North East States are confronted with, as Kezo pointed, “Our problem of generalization of yardsticks that are fixed in the rest of the country.”

Kezo further raised the issue on how to accommodate differences, within the local specifications and complexities while complying to a Central program and its required guidelines. “This is something policymakers are unwilling to talk about. Not many have the courage to admit failures. We only like success stories,” said Kezo.

“The dynamics of the market here are so different. We are often fixed under a scanner and questioned. We struggle to comply because we are put under continuous pressure,” he noted.

Asserting that Nagaland is headed toward GeM, Kezo requested all the stakeholders to participate. “We will definitely struggle for some time. But I can tell you this is where we are headed,” said Kezo.

The resource persons were Paritosh Singhal, ACEO, GeM, Nirmal Kumar, DCEO, GeM, and Biswajit Sarkar, Business Facilitator, (BE), GeM.

The Government e Marketplace (GeM) is the national public procurement portal offering end to end solution for all procurement needs of Government departments and their autonomous bodies. According to the government, GeM has transformed the public procurement in the country by leveraging technology, and making procurement contactless, paperless and cashless.

Under the Rule 149 of General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017 mandates procurement of all common use goods and services available in GeM Portal mandatory for all government departments.