In a significant step towards promoting transparency and efficiency in government procurement, the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute (NEHARI) in Guwahati, under the aegis of the Brahmaputra Board, recently hosted a five-day workshop on “e-Procurement and Government e-Marketplace (GeM)”.
The event, held from August 19 to 23, 2025, was part of a wider Vigilance Awareness Campaign and was conducted in collaboration with the National Water Academy (NWA), Pune.
The training program was inaugurated virtually by D.S. Chaskar, Chief Engineer of NWA, and Abhay Kumar, General Manager of the Brahmaputra Board. They underscored the vital role of modern digital platforms in streamlining procurement processes for government officials. The inauguration was attended by notable dignitaries, including Ankit Dudeja, Director of NWA, and Dr. Ranjit Deka, Director of NEHARI.
Participants, comprising 22 officials from the Brahmaputra Board, were taken through an exhaustive curriculum. The sessions covered the end-to-end procurement cycle, from creating direct purchases and custom bids to navigating the intricacies of L1 comparison and bidding on the GeM portal. The training also delved into crucial aspects such as bid evaluation, technical and financial acceptance, and the award of work. Beyond the GeM portal, the workshop addressed procurement through the CPP portal, preparation of Bills of Quantities (BoQ), and the nuances of bill processing via the GeM and PFMS portals. Furthermore, sessions highlighted the relevance of the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017, and the importance of delegated financial powers in government purchasing. The lectures were delivered by a panel of distinguished experts from various organisations, including the Central Water Commission (CWC), NEHARI, the Income Tax Department-Guwahati, and NWA, Pune.
In a unique addition to the training, NEHARI organised a yoga session led by instructor Gitima Deka. The session saw enthusiastic participation from both trainees and faculty, underscoring the importance of holistic well-being alongside professional development. The workshop concluded with a valedictory ceremony where Dr. Ranjit Deka, Director of NEHARI, presented a summary of the key takeaways. Certificates of successful completion were awarded to all 22 participants.