07 Nov 19: The government plans to open up the national online procurement portal Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to government contractors and private entities but only for bulk buying. Officials said the government plans to expand the mandate of the GeM to include these two categories. Currently, GeM allows only government departments and public sector units to buy from the portal. “The Cabinet’s approval is needed this expansion. The final decision has not happened. A draft cabinet note is being made,” said one official.