The Ministry is actively fostering and streamlining the registration process for cooperative societies as buyers on GeM through a multi-pronged approach. All stakeholders including GeM authorities, National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), Central and State Registrars of Cooperative Societies are taking various initiatives  for  encouraging  and  ensuring smooth registration and onboarding of cooperative societies. Some of the initiatives include –

1. 1. Focussed advocacy, outreach, awareness initiatives in  physical  and  online training sessions by GeM and NCUI with concerned stakeholders in various State Governments and Union Territories apart from setting up of dedicated Help desks for onboarding support to Cooperative Societies,
   2. State-wise list with contact details of GeM and NCUI nodal officers has been shared with Cooperative Societies for buyer registration, support and training mechanism/ materials through RCS,
   3. RCSs of all States/UTs have been issued advisories and requested through video conferencing also to encourage the cooperatives for onboarding.

Purchases through GeM would  allow  the  cooperative  societies  to  get  competitive  prices through an open and transparent process from over 67 lakh vendors, thereby economically benefiting the members of these societies.  Following the  standard  procedures on GeM would reduce procurement time and administrative burden.  It would also enhance the credibility of the cooperatives by increasing transparency.

Onboarding of  cooperative  societies as buyers on GeM is being implemented in a   phased manner. In the first phase, 618 cooperative societies/cooperative banks, which have turnover/deposits of more than Rs. 100 crore as per the latest audited financial statement and ‘A’ grade Audit  rating (wherever applicable), have been identified for onboarding on  GeM.  As on 15 November 2023, 559 cooperative societies have been onboarded as buyers on the GeM portal.

This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written   reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

 

AY/ASH/RR/334

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