Nirmala negates graft charges in e-procurement

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday defended the government’s e-procurement portal GeM as most transparent, accountable and efficient public procurement portal after it came under attack by opposition Congress for graft charges.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said the portal has already resulted in savings of crores of rupees to the government.  “The allegations of corruption appear to be a handiwork of certain interested groups who are badly hit owing to discontinuation of rate contracts... It is unfortunate that the Congress party is supporting an opaque system and is against transparency in public procurement,” she said.

Last week the Congress had alleged corruption in the government's e-marketplace portal.