Govt Strengthens GeM Platform to Support Women-Led & Small Enterprises

24 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Government of India has introduced a range of initiatives to ensure the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) remains an inclusive and accessible platform, particularly for women-led enterprises, startups, artisans, and small businesses.

Key Measures for Women & MSMEs Marketplace filters & product icons distinguish women-led product catalogues for Direct Purchase/L1 procurement, enhancing visibility and accessibility. ‘Vocal for Local’ GeM Outlet Stores (8 established) provide market linkages for Women Entrepreneurs, Startups, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Artisans, Weavers, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Seamless API integration with Udyam MSME database enables two-step seller auto-registration on the platform. MoUs signed with key organisations such as Laghu Udyog Bharati, FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO), and Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) to expand outreach. Active participation in trade fairs, roadshows, and exhibitions at venues like India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and India Exposition Mart Limited (IELM). Immersive seller onboarding includes product catalogue support and success stories to boost engagement. 35 weekly onboarding workshops conducted in collaboration with Amazon Saheli, NRLM, ALEAP, and others.

Support for Startups Startups registered with DPIIT benefit from:

Exemption from Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) submission Waiver of prior turnover & experience requirements Dedicated functionality on GeM for bid exemption approvals

As a fully digital procurement platform, GeM ensures compliance with public procurement policies, including the Public Procurement Policy for Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) Order, 2012. This information was provided by Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, in a Rajya Sabha reply today.

Infrastructure Urban

19 Sep 2025

LTTS Joins MIT Media Lab To Drive AI And Sustainable Tech

L&T Technology Services, a global provider of AI, digital and engineering consulting services, has announced a multi-year membership agreement with the MIT Media Lab, one of the world’s leading research institutions.As a consortium Lab Member, LTTS will collaborate on next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) developments, highlighting its commitment to advancing transformational innovation in mobility, sustainability and technology.Under the agreement, LTTS will participate in active exchanges of knowledge with the Media Lab’s cross-disciplinary ecosystem of researchers, innovators..

Maharashtra Approves Rs 9.31 Bn for Bhandara–Gadchiroli Expressway

The Maharashtra cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved the revised design and funding of Rs 9.31 billion for the Bhandara–Gadchiroli controlled access expressway, a project expected to enhance connectivity across Vidarbha.The 94.2 km expressway, to be implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), will cut the Bhandara–Gadchiroli distance by 23 km and reduce travel time to 1.5 hours. Of the sanctioned funds, Rs 5.34 billion has been earmarked for project work and Rs 3.96 billion for interest, with land acquisition to begin shortly.The..

Waaree Energies to Offload 14.66% Stake in Indosolar via OFS

Waaree Energies, promoter of Indosolar, will sell up to 61 lakh equity shares, representing 14.66 per cent of Indosolar’s paid-up capital, through an Offer for Sale (OFS) on stock exchanges. The move is aimed at meeting SEBI’s minimum public shareholding (MPS) norms.The OFS will open for non-retail investors on September 18 (T-day), followed by retail investors on September 19 (T+1 day), through a dedicated trading window. Each share carries a face value of Rs 10.Antique Stock Broking has been appointed as the seller’s broker to manage the transaction, ensuring compliance and transparenc..