With the objective of empowering rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs), the Indian government has recently launched the unique Saras Collection initiative on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. This landmark step is a collaborative effort by GeM, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), and the Ministry of Rural Development.
The Saras Collection: A Gateway to Market Access
The Saras Collection is an online showcase of everyday utility products crafted by rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Its primary goal is to offer market access to these rural SHGs, making their products readily available to official buyers from Central and State Governments. The incorporation of these SHGs has been initially piloted in states such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. However, the plan is to expand the coverage rapidly to include SHGs from all states and Union Territories (UTs).
Removing Intermediaries, Boosting Local Employment
One of the significant perks of the Saras Collection is the direct access it provides to government buyers. By eliminating the need for intermediaries in the supply chain, the initiative is set to ensure better pricing for SHG products. This move will subsequently spur employment opportunities at the local level.
Mechanisms in Place for Efficient Functioning
To enable smooth functioning, dashboards will be provided to functionaries at different government levels, including national, state, district, and block. These dashboards will relay real-time information regarding uploaded products, their value, and the volume of orders received and fulfilled. System-generated messages or alerts will keep government buyers informed about the availability of SHG products on the portal.
Capacity Building and Training of SHGs
GeM intends to cooperate with state functionaries to address the capacity building and training requirements of SHGs. It plans to develop their competencies in areas including order packaging, catalogue management, and logistics. Further, GeM will create vernacular content for online learning resources for SHGs, leveraging inputs from NRLM and State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs).
Government e-Marketplace: A One-Stop Procurement Portal
Launched in 2016, GeM is a National Public Procurement Portal designed to facilitate the online procurement of common use goods and services required by central and state government departments, organizations, and public sector undertakings (PSUs). Aimed at introducing transparency and efficiency into the government buying process, GeM has been developed by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with technical support from the National e-governance Division under the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology.
GeM offers features like e-bidding and reverse e-auction to ensure government users get the best value for their money. It is a completely paperless, cashless, and system-driven e-marketplace that simplifies procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface.