15 Apr 19: Three years after its inauguration, the government e-marketplace (GeM) has seen the cumulative procurement by the central and state governments reach Rs 24,183 crore at the end of 2018-19. All public sector agencies are mandated to directly purchase common-use goods and services through the online portal. Official estimates by the commerce department show a target of Rs 50,000 crore in 2019-20, ultimately hitting Rs 1 trillion worth of procurements by 2021.