Time to assess impact of procurement reforms introduced three years ago

Various industry associations and chambers of commerce must stridently demand implementation across all levels and come up with their own impact analysis of these reforms

The first 15 years of this century witnessed rising decibels of protests from Indian industry about two specific issues in doing business with the government — hugely delayed payments and the infirmities embedded in the L-1 (lowest bidder) method of selection. On both counts, many businesses that were substantial suppliers to the government faced existential hurdles, and it is believed the country lost out on quality suppliers.

 

It is not that the government was insensitive to these issues. For instance, the PRAAPTI portal (Payment Ratification and Analysis in Power Procurement for bringing Transparency in Invoicing of Suppliers) did much to