Registrar of University of Kashmir Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir inaugurated on Thursday a two-day training programme for officers and officials of the varsity about the Government e-Market Place (GeM).

GeM is an online market platform for procurement of goods and services by government departments, autonomous institutions, ministries and Public Sector Undertakings.

Addressing the inaugural session of the programme, which was attended by officers of the Registry, Dr Mir said the GeM has been envisioned to ease procurement of goods using a technology-driven platform.

The training-cum-awareness programme has been organised by the Directorate of IT and SS.

Dr Mir said the university is switching over to GeM in line with the General Financial Rules in vogue. 

“This is a one-stop platform for our offices and departments to make their procurements in accordance with the financial system and rules in place. It would help save time while ensuring speedy billing and payments to suppliers and service providers,” he said.

The Registrar said that adoption of the new procurement system will enhance good perception of the institution and human resources, while averting any type of negative perception or stereotyping.

“The financial system in any institution calls for adherence to financial discipline, including undertaking works or making procurements as per the set financial norms. It’s therefore important to prefer procurements and services via GeM which is the first priority in the financial system now,” Dr Mir said.

In-charge Director, IT and SS, Dr Maroof Naeem Qadri, gave an overview of the General Financial Rules (GFRs) and utility of the GeM portal vis-à-vis procurements and services.

He said that while making the GeM procurements, it is important to ascertain alongside the reasonableness of rates, quality, specifications and identification of the appropriate supplier.

Mr Sikandar Nisar, GeM Consultant, is the chief resource person for the training programme.

During the inaugural session, Mr Nisar demonstrated in detail how the GeM portal can be used and how procurements, billings and payments are made.

The inaugural session, among others, was attended by Dr Tanveer A Shah, Special Secretary to VC, Dr Ashfaq A Zarri Joint Registrar (Budget and Creation), Joint Registrars, Deputy Registrars and Assistant Registrars.