Need for a Comprehensive Government Public Procurement Policy in India.

The government sector is a big buyer of goods and services in India.

We see many examples of lapses in public procurement.

The question is why this happens?

Every year Government buying is more than 400000 crores INR.

Following are the legislations that lay policies on government buying in India.

1) Contract Act 1872, Sale of Goods Act 1930.

2) Prevention of Corruption Act 1988

3) Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996.

Is there a comprehensive policy that lays down clear guidelines to bring efficiency and transparency in Public Procurement?

A couple of states have done a better job in guiding the government departments in the public procurement process.

Examples

Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1999

Rajasthan Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 2012

In a nutshell, we can say that Public Procurement has to adhere to 1) Sector-specific manuals, 2) State Specific Rules on transparency 3) Manual For Procurement of Goods 2017 4) General Financial Rules 2017.

The problem is with the abilities of the 'procurement personnel' to understand these guidelines and laying down the process.

Lack of clarity results in delay and lapses.