E-procurement to end corruption, hopes Amir

LAHORE:Punjab Information and Culture Minister Amir Mir has said that the caretaker government was committed to eradicating corruption from government departments and the introduction of the e-procurement system is a pivotal step in this endeavour.

Amir Mir highlighted that electronic procurement not only diminishes the likelihood of corruption in the procurement sector but also contributes to saving public funds and time allocated for taxes.

The newly-launched e-procurement software, developed in collaboration with PPRA and Punjab IT Board, ensures seamless coordination and registration of all participants, including bidders, vendors, suppliers, individual consultants, and firms, within a unified system. This system facilitates an efficient process from planning to contract execution.

Amir Mir conveyed these sentiments during the concluding session of a two-day training workshop on the e-procurement system organised by the Public Relations Department.

He urged participants to register under this corruption-free procurement system, emphasising that regular operations have commenced under the e-procurement system.

The workshop, attended by officers from the Chief Minister's IT Cell and five subsidiaries of the Department of Information and Culture, including DGPR, PILAC, PUCAR, and Punjab Information Commission, featured briefings by Punjab IT Board Managing

Director Waqar Azim and Programme Manager Ashfaq Towana on how to use the software effectively.

Waqar Azim highlighted the creation of Master IDs for all departments under the system, emphasising the analysis of price estimates and the submission of bids online. Ashfaq Towana informed Amir Mir that the e-procurement system could result in savings ranging from 5 to 30 percent of the government's expenditure on procurement.

Since the system's launch on November 20, the Punjab IT Board has trained over 43 administrative departments in the use of the software, with ongoing training for subsidiary and autonomous institutions.

The minister directed the Public Relations Department to swiftly implement the system. He urged the appointment of a focal person to liaise with PPRA and the IT board to expedite revenue generation through the procurement process.

The session concluded with Amir Mir distributing certificates to officers and trainers from Punjab IT Board and PPRA involved in the training workshop. Secretary Information Daniyal Gillani and DGPR Rubina Khan were also present, and souvenirs were exchanged between Punjab IT Board and DGPR.