GeM Generates Over Rs 2,200 Crore Through E-Waste and Scrap Disposal via Digital Auctions

New Delhi: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has enabled the realisation of more than Rs 2,200 crore through the disposal of e-waste and other scrap materials belonging to various ministries and departments, using its forward auction module, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Sunday.

According to the official statement, the revenue was generated between December 2021 and November 2025 through a transparent and competitive bidding process. During this four-year period, GeM conducted over 13,000 forward auctions, onboarded more than 23,000 registered bidders, and facilitated participation from over 17,000 auctioneers. These figures demonstrate that forward auctions on GeM have evolved from a pilot initiative into a nationwide digital system for government asset disposal.

The growing impact of this digital shift is reflected in several high-value auctions across the country. One notable example is the auction of 100 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) flats in Aliganj, Lucknow, conducted by the State Bank of India through the GeM platform. The auction fetched Rs 34.53 crore, prompting SBI to formally acknowledge the professionalism and transparency of the GeM forward auction process.

In another case, the National Zoological Park in New Delhi, which had struggled for years to dispose of obsolete and unusable items, successfully completed the process through GeM. The auction attracted bids exceeding the reserve price, and the Zoo recorded its appreciation for the support provided, highlighting how efficient scrap disposal can improve operational efficiency and optimise the use of public resources.

The diversity of assets auctioned on GeM underscores the versatility of the forward auction module. Recent auctions include the sale of screened gypsum worth Rs 3.35 crore by FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Ltd., the disposal of 261 condemned vehicles in the Jammu Division, salvage auctions conducted by the Border Roads Organisation, the five-year lease of a dormitory in Gulmarg, and the auction of boating rights at a lake in Spurtar. These cases reflect a growing shift towards competitive and transparent disposal mechanisms for a wide range of government assets.

GeM functions as a comprehensive digital platform for procurement of goods and services by ministries, departments and public sector entities. Beyond procurement, its forward auction module facilitates the sale and disposal of government assets by introducing online competitive bidding, thereby enhancing transparency, efficiency and value discovery in a process that was previously fragmented and paperwork-heavy.

A forward auction is a digital bidding process through which government entities sell assets such as scrap, e-waste, old vehicles, machinery, and leasehold properties, including land and buildings, to the highest bidder. Departments list assets on the platform, set reserve prices, define eligibility criteria and monitor the bidding process in real time through a secure digital interface.

To participate, bidders must register on the GeM portal via the forward auction bidder registration link, submit PAN and other required details, complete email verification, and fulfil onboarding requirements. Where applicable, bidders must deposit earnest money before joining live, time-bound online auctions conducted under defined security protocols. While most auctions are open to the public, some are restricted to pre-qualified bidders depending on the nature of the assets.

With inputs from IANS