Rule 3 of छत्तीसगढ़ शासन भण्डार क्रय नियम , 2002
Procurement via GeM & Exceptions
Original Text
“ाईपनियम -3.1
ाईपनियम -3.1.1 राज्य शासन के समस्त निभाग /क्रेता कायायलय/ाऄधीनस्थ सांस्थाएां ाऄपनी ाअिश्यकतानुसार सामग्री , िस्तुएाँ एिां सेिाएाँ नजनकी दरें एिां निनशनष्ट यााँ भारत सरकार के डीजीएसएण्डडी की जेम िेबसााइर् (GeM – Government e–Marketplace) में ाईपलब्ध हों , का क्र य जेम िेब सााइर् से ाईनकी नियम ािली , ननधायररत प्र दक्रया का पालन करते हु ये क्र य करेंगे , दकन्तु ऐसे क्र य के नलये निभाग /क्रेता कायायलय/ाऄधीनस्थ सांस्था एाँ जेम िेबसााइर् में सांबांनधत सामग्री के तकनीकी स् पेनशदिकेशन (Technical Specification) का परीक्षि , निक्रेता की साख एिां एल -1 मूल् य , ाअदद का ननधायरि स् ियां करेगा।
निभाग/क्रेता कायायलय/ाऄधीनस्थ सांस्थाएां की यह भी नजम्मेदारी होगी दक िह शासकीय कोष की नमतव्ययता एिां क्र य की जा रही सामग्री की गुिित्ता सुनननित करेगा। यदद राज्य शासन का कोाइ निभाग /क्रेता कायायलय/ाऄधीनस्थ सांस्था एाँ ाआस प्र ािधा न से परे, ाआस नियम ािली के नियम -4 में िर्तित प्र ािधान के ाऄनुरुप नननिदा प्र िाली के माध्यम से सामग्री , िस्तुएाँ एिां सेिाएाँ का क्र य करना चाहे तो िे नननिदा के माध्यम से सामग्री , िस्तुएाँ एिां सेिाएाँ क्रय कर सकेंगे , ककतु ऐसा करने के पूिय ाईन्हें सांबांनधत प्र शासकीय निभाग के माध्यम से नित्त निभाग से नलनखत सहमनत प्र ाप्त करनी होगी। ”
(ाईपनियम -3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.2, 3.3 निलोनपत)
ाईपनियम -3.4 ऐसी सामग्री िस्तुएाँ एिां सेिाएाँ जो ाईपनियम -3.1 में िर्तित नहीं है, ाईनका य क्र राज्य शासन के सभी निभाग/क्रेता कायायलय/ाऄधीनस्थ सांस्था एाँ नियम -4 में ाईल्लेनखत प्रदक्रया के ाऄनुसरि में य क्र कर सकेंगे।
Visual Summary
Summary
Rule 3 establishes the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as the primary and mandatory source for procurement for all Chhattisgarh state departments and subordinate institutions. If a product or service is available on GeM, it must be purchased there. The rule places the onus on the buying department to verify technical specifications, vendor credibility, and ensure the price is the lowest (L-1). While the rule allows for exceptions to use the traditional tender process (Rule 4) for items available on GeM, this is strictly regulated and requires prior written consent from the Finance Department. Items not listed on GeM automatically fall under the standard tender procedures of Rule 4.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory GeM Usage: If an item is on GeM, it must be bought from GeM.
- Buyer’s Duty: The purchasing department is solely responsible for checking quality, specs, and price economy.
- High-Level Clearance for Exceptions: Bypassing GeM for available items requires Finance Department approval via the Administrative Department.
- Default to Rule 4: If an item is not found on GeM, the standard tender process (Rule 4) applies automatically.
Key Analysis
- ➤ Shift to Digital Governance: Rule 3 represents a decisive shift away from manual tendering towards digital marketplaces, aiming to reduce corruption and increase speed in procurement.
- ➤ Decentralized Accountability: While the platform (GeM) is central, the accountability remains local. The rule explicitly states that the department determines the “L-1” and “Technical Specs.” This prevents officials from blaming the portal for poor quality purchases.
- ➤ Bureaucratic Check on Exceptions: By requiring Finance Department consent to bypass GeM, the rule creates a high barrier for opting out. This suggests that the state government views GeM as the default and wants to discourage arbitrary use of Rule 4 tenders for common items.
Key Ingredients
- Availability Check: Is the required item/service available on GeM?
- Verification: Has the department verified the Technical Specifications and Vendor Credibility?
- Economy: Is the purchase being made at L-1 (Lowest) price?
- Exception Approval: If bypassing GeM, is written consent from the Finance Department obtained?
Related Provisions
Practical Illustrations
Process Flowchart
Practice Questions
Q: Under Rule 3.1, if a specific item is available on the GeM portal, what is the mandatory mode of purchase?
- A. Open Tender under Rule 4
- B. Direct purchase from local market
- C. Purchase through GeM portal
- D. Limited Tender
View Correct Answer
Reasoning: Rule 3.1 explicitly states that departments must purchase goods/services from GeM if they are available there.
Q: Whose responsibility is it to verify the technical specifications and vendor credibility on GeM?
- A. The GeM Portal Administrators
- B. The Buying Department/Office
- C. The Finance Department
- D. The Vendor
View Correct Answer
Reasoning: Rule 3.1.1 places the onus of verifying technical specifications, vendor credibility, and L-1 price on the department/office making the purchase.
Q: Which department’s written consent is required to bypass GeM for an item listed on it?
- A. General Administration Department
- B. Commerce & Industry Department
- C. Finance Department
- D. Law Department
View Correct Answer
Reasoning: Rule 3.1.1 states that to use the tender process (Rule 4) for items available on GeM, written consent must be obtained from the Finance Department via the Administrative Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the quality of the item on GeM is poor?
Can I use a Tender (Rule 4) if the item is on GeM?
What happens if the item is NOT listed on GeM?
Conclusion
Rule 3 serves as the cornerstone for modernizing state procurement in Chhattisgarh by mandating the use of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). It balances the efficiency of digital procurement with strict accountability measures, ensuring that while the process is streamlined, the responsibility for quality and economy remains firmly with the purchasing department. The provision for exceptions ensures flexibility but safeguards against arbitrary avoidance of the digital platform through high-level financial oversight.