[This article was published in the September 2009 issue of the eGov Magazine (http://www.egovonline.net) ]
e-Procurement is the process wherein the physical tendering activity is carried out online using the Internet and associated technologies.
The e-procurement system of the railways was inaugurated recently. The e-procurement platform to East Coast Railway (ECoR) has been provided by Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS). The east coast railway stores department purchases around INR 750 crore materials every year.
Punjab Agricultural Marketing Board board is on its way to become the first organisation in Punjab to implement the internet-based tendering. Punjab Agricultural Marketing Board has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with state-run Indian Telephone Industries Limited for implementing e-tendering. The system is expected to get functional by February 15, 2009.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) announced that it would deliver Government to Citizens (G2C) through 8,000 kiosks in Delhi. The proposal for the same was approved recently. The project is expected to fetch approximately INR 300 crores to the MCD and would create job opportunities for the youths.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), India, is introducing e-Procurement system, with effect from 1st September2008 and would start inviting tender through e-Procurement portal. The system would make it convenient to participate in the bid and the tendering process will be more efficenient, faster and transparent.
Electronic procurement is gaining its momentum in the public service sector and the achieved results are visible clearly. Sue Essex, Welsh Assembly Government Finance and Public Services Minister said that the smarter procurement is essential to improve front line public services.
Three most influential IT Industry Associations of China has taken a joint initiation to end brand-specific procurement tenders.
