Aatma Nirbhar Bharat: Delhi govt to disallow global tenders up to Rs 200 crore

In a bid to promote domestic business, the Delhi government has asked all its departments to desist from issuing global tenders of contract value up to Rs 200 crore, an official said on Sunday.

The Delhi government's move comes days after the Centre announced the 'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' or 'Self-reliant India Mission' under which global tenders up to Rs 200 crore were recently disallowed.

According to an official, the finance department of the Delhi government has asked all heads of departments, commissioners of municipal corporations and autonomous bodies to adopt the Centre's amended General Financial Rules (GFR).

The move will benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"The Delhi government has endorsed the amendment in GFR made by the Department of Expenditure under Union Ministry of Finance, and forwarded it to HODs for necessary action," the official said.

Earlier this month, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced an economic support package for MSMEs, which includes disallowing global tender for government procurement up to Rs 200 crore.

Also, the definition of MSMEs has been changed by the central government from a pure investment-based one to that which provides for higher investments and turnover for companies to remain as small businesses, and avail financial and other incentives.

Small and mid-sized businesses in India account for about a third of gross domestic product and employ more than 11 crore people.