<span style="color: #222222;">In our series on Atmanirbhar Bharat today, we bring you a special story on Government e-Marketplace, GeM, a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">GeM is an online platform for procurement of goods and services by government departments, public sector units, and other agencies.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The portal is enabling quick, efficient, transparent and cost-effective procurement, especially in this hour of need when government organizations require products and services urgently to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">GeM is a tool to promote Maximum Governance Minimum Government, Make in India, Ease of Doing Business and Digital India.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">By providing timely payment to vendors GeM not only ensures competitive rates but also encourages small business units and individuals to do business with government organizations.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Government has made it mandatory for sellers to enter the Country of Origin while registering all new products on GeM.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Since its inception in 2016, GeM is continuously working towards promotion of Make in India initiative.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Marketplace has facilitated entry of small local sellers in Public Procurement.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Presently more than seven thousand products in about 150 product categories and hiring of transport service are available on GeM portal.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">GeM is a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface.</span><br />