The agreement on government procurement (GPA) is a vital international agreement that promotes transparency, openness, and fairness in government procurement. The GPA is a plurilateral agreement that has been signed by 19 countries, including India, since its inception in 1981. In this article, we will discuss the GPA with a focus on how it relates to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India.
The GPA promotes fair and non-discriminatory procurement practices by governments. The agreement seeks to eliminate barriers to trade and investment by creating a level playing field for suppliers in different countries. The GPA provides a framework for negotiating and implementing procurement regulations that are transparent, predictable, and fair.
The UPSC is an independent constitutional body that oversees civil services recruitment and examinations in India. The commission conducts the civil services examination to recruit officers for various services under the government of India. The UPSC is responsible for ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, transparent, and free from any bias.
The GPA affects the UPSC in several ways. First, the GPA promotes transparency in government procurement. This means that the UPSC must ensure that its procurement processes and decisions are transparent and can be reviewed by interested parties. The UPSC must provide adequate information about its procurement processes, including its evaluation criteria, to interested parties. This helps to ensure that the UPSC`s procurement decisions are based on objective criteria.
Secondly, the GPA promotes non-discriminatory procurement practices. This means that the UPSC must ensure that its procurement decisions are not biased against suppliers from other countries. The UPSC cannot discriminate against foreign suppliers based on their nationality. Instead, the UPSC must evaluate all suppliers based on objective criteria, such as their technical capabilities, experience, and price.
Lastly, the GPA promotes the use of electronic procurement systems. This means that the UPSC can use electronic procurement systems, such as e-tendering and e-auctions, to conduct its procurement processes. Electronic procurement systems help to promote transparency, efficiency, and fairness in government procurement.
In conclusion, the GPA is a vital international agreement that promotes transparency, openness, and fairness in government procurement. The agreement affects the UPSC by promoting transparency, non-discrimination, and the use of electronic procurement systems. As India`s premier civil services recruitment body, the UPSC must ensure that its procurement processes are fair, transparent, and free from any bias. By complying with the GPA`s principles, the UPSC can maintain its reputation as a fair and objective recruitment body.