Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 1

The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed all administrative departments to use the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Forward Auction Module for the disposal of surplus public assets and leasing of eligible government-owned properties, as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, competition and efficiency in asset management.

The directive, issued by the Finance Department through its Codes Division, requires departments and their subordinate offices to adopt the online auction platform for disposing of surplus movable and immovable assets and leasing commercial government properties after obtaining approval from the competent authority.

The move aligns Jammu and Kashmir’s asset disposal mechanism with the Centre’s digital procurement and auction framework, which is designed to widen participation, improve price discovery and reduce discretion in the sale and leasing of government assets.

According to the circular, the GeM Forward Auction Module facilitates transparent, competitive, pan-India online bidding for a broad range of government assets, including immovable properties, serviceable and unserviceable stores, scrap material, condemned vehicles, electronic waste and other surplus inventory.

The platform also enables government agencies to lease commercial assets such as shops, parking facilities and other income-generating public properties through an open and competitive bidding process.

The Finance Department said the GeM auction system had already been widely adopted by government agencies across the country, conducting more than 12,000 auctions involving over 25,000 assets and enabling departments to secure better value through nationwide competition.

Officials said the digital platform enhances transparency by reducing manual intervention, expanding the pool of potential bidders and ensuring uniform procedures in the disposal and leasing of government property.

The circular also referred to the Manual for Procurement of Goods (Second Edition, 2024), which recommends the use of the GeM Forward Auction facility by Central and State governments, public sector undertakings and other government bodies for disposal of surplus assets and leasing of public properties.

In line with those guidelines, all administrative departments have been instructed to ensure that their subordinate offices migrate to the GeM Forward Auction Module wherever disposal of surplus assets or leasing of government-owned commercial properties is required.

Officials said the initiative forms part of broader reforms aimed at modernising public financial management through digital platforms while promoting accountability, transparency and efficient utilisation of government resources.

The circular was issued by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar, and takes immediate effect for all eligible departments and government offices across J&K.