GeM Portal Flags GMCH for Delayed Payments, Issues Warning for Tender Applicants

Chandigarh : The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Sector-32 has been flagged by the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for delaying payments, with the institution now listed among the “Red-Flagged Buyers.” As a result, vendors applying for tenders through the GeM portal are being warned that they are participating at their own risk, as the institution has failed to clear dues within the stipulated time.

The hospital administration has not provided a clear response, only stating that efforts are being made to understand why the portal issued this red flag. According to sources, several companies that had submitted tenders for GMCH-32 have been waiting for payment for months, while the GeM portal mandates that payments should be completed within 10 days after tender completion and delivery. If payment is not made within 60 days, the portal takes appropriate action.

An Odd Situation in Health Department
While GMCH-32 is facing payment delays, another government hospital, GMSH-16, has been found paying excessively. GMSH-16 made a payment of ₹2.68 crore against a bill of ₹68 lakh, which has caused controversy, though no action has been taken yet.

GeM Portal
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, launched in September 2016 under the ‘Make in India’ initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is India’s e-commerce platform for government purchases, allowing both citizens and government officials to buy goods and services.