STUDY OF ISSUES IDENTIFIED & POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SYSTEM (INCLUDING E-PROCUREMENT PORTALS & GOVT. E-MARKETPLACE) IN INDIA USING FOCUSED GROUP METHODOLOGY.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse the issues & possible solutions in Public Procurement System (e procurement portals & Govt. e-Marketplace) in India using Focused Group Methodology. It is well established all over the world that expenditure on account of public procurement is of significant level. India is also no exception to this phenomenon. Also, given that the high level of poverty in the country, the public expenditure is high in India and fiscal deficit remained high in the accounting history of India. In order to streamline the public procurement process, Government of India has launched Central Public Procurement Portals (CPPP) and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) with the aim of bringing transparency, efficiency and price competitiveness in the public procurement system in India. It is a web portal similar to the e-commerce websites where sellers can list their products and buyer can select and buy the product as per their norms and requirement. It can be used by the government agencies and departments of central and state governments only. In earlier studies conducted on the above subject viz. “Study on impact of Government e-Marketplace (GeM) on Public Procurement System in India” and “Study on impact of e-procurement portals (i.e. Central & State Public Procurement Portals) on Public Procurement System in India” have identified the various issues in public procurement system. In this study, these issues has been discussed in groups with the experts from the field and tried to bring possible solutions to these issues. The study was conducted to by organising two Focus group i.e. Focus Group 1 (FG1) & Focus Group 2 (FG2). FG1 was consist of participants from various central, state & autonomous government organisation having 10 years or more experience in handling public procurements whereas FG2 was consists of participants from various central, state & autonomous government organisation having less than 5 years of experience in handling public procurements cases. The outcome during the discussions of focus groups were further discussed with the other groups. Findings of the study were consolidated and put forward in meaningful way for providing base for further study.