With an aim to promote micro and small-scale industries, industries started by educated unemployed and institutes governed by Khadi Gramodhyog Board and to ensure quality products at reasonable rates for government departments, the Gujarat government has declared its Purchase Policy 2016, said an official release June 14, 2016.

The policy is inspired by the Make in India campaign of the Central government and it mandates that various government departments buy various products for their use which are manufactured in India. In case the required product is of certain specifications which necessitate purchase from abroad, the purchasing authority will have to take certificate from the secretary of the concerned department.

Micro and small scale industries and various other government institutes will be getting various incentives under the policy like conditional exemption from paying earnest money deposit (EMD) while filling tenders of government departments.

This relief is also applicable to government recognised institutions working for betterment of the visually impaired, deaf and mute people as well as for those working for mentally challenged children, stated the release.

In addition, such eligible units will be given benefit of 10 per cent price difference in comparison to the bidding price quoted by large and medium units for a government floated tender. The release said that for the implementation of the policy, each department of the state government have formed a Departmental Purchase Committee headed by the secretary/principal secretary or additional chief secretary of the concerned department.

It added that various government departments, authorities, boards and corporations will have to strictly follow the policy while making purchase for their concerned departments. Similarly, local institutes of self-governance will have to form their own Purchase Policy in consonance with the state Purchase Policy.

Source: The Indian Express