Saras Collection launched on the Government E-Marketplace portal, GeM

On May 4, 2020, the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj launched the “The Saras Collection” on the GeM (Government E Marketplace) platform. The Saras Collection aims to promote daily utilities made by self-help groups.

Highlights

The initiative is a joint effort of the Ministry of rural development, GeM and Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM). Under the initiative, the SHGs (Self Help Groups) will list their products in 5 different categories namely office accessories, handicrafts, handloom and textiles, grocery and pantry and personal care and hygiene.

During the first phase, around 913 SHGs were registered and 442 products were added. The SHGs were from 11 different states. The 11 states include Maharashtra, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh. Kerala, Rajasthan, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

Key Features

The GeM under the initiative has provided a dashboard at national, state, district and block level in order to provide real time information about the products that are being uploaded by the SHGs.

GeM

The GeM is a government owned portal that was set up as National Public Procurement Portal in order to procure goods and services that are required by the central and state governments. The platform helps to reduce human intervention.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020