Published in: Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers (SAGE Journals)
Authors: Dr. Shashank Ojha and Prof. I. M. Pandey
Case Analysis by: Vikas Kanungo
DOI: 10.1177/0256090920140409
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About the Publication
The paper titled “e-Procurement Project in Karnataka: A Case of Public Private Partnership” explores one of the earliest and most successful implementations of digital public procurement in India. The case study focuses on the strategic collaboration between the Government of Karnataka and private sector partners to build a scalable, efficient, and transparent e-Procurement system. This initiative became a benchmark for digital governance in India and has been referenced widely in policy circles and academic research on digital public infrastructure (DPI), e-Governance, and procurement reform. The paper was authored by Dr. Shashank Ojha and Prof. I. M. Pandey, two distinguished voices in digital governance and public finance, and published in the highly reputed Vikalpa journal by IIM Ahmedabad and SAGE Publications.
Case Analysis by Vikas Kanungo – Ground-Level Insights
As the contributor responsible for the detailed case analysis, I undertook extensive fieldwork and stakeholder consultations to provide an empirical foundation for the paper. My analysis offered deep insights into the following critical dimensions:
- Strategic Design and Policy Framework: The rationale behind adopting a public-private partnership (PPP) model for a government-critical function like procurement.
- Institutional Dynamics: How multiple departments and agencies were aligned under a unified governance model.
- Risk Mitigation and Accountability: Mechanisms adopted to balance innovation from the private sector with public accountability.
- Process Reengineering: Steps taken to digitize, standardize, and automate procurement workflows across departments.
- Capacity Building and Change Management: Training programs, user onboarding processes, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
- Technology Stack: System architecture, platform scalability, vendor management modules, and data analytics integration.
- Results and Impact: Reduction in procurement cycle time, increased vendor participation, cost savings, and increased transparency.
The case study was grounded in a holistic understanding of both the technological and governance challenges in rolling out such large-scale public systems. My role was to document the lived experiences of stakeholders, capture implementation nuances, and distill actionable lessons that can be applied across similar digital initiatives globally.
Relevance Today: A Blueprint for Digital Public Infrastructure
Nearly a decade after this case was first published, the Karnataka e-Procurement project continues to serve as a reference point in India’s digital transformation journey. It resonates with current DPI efforts such as India Stack, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and Public Procurement Policy reforms led by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Electronics and IT.
The principles explored in this case—platform thinking, private-sector innovation, interoperability, scalability, and citizen trust—have now become foundational to the broader GovTech and DPI frameworks being adopted globally. International development agencies, multilateral banks, and regional governments continue to draw on this model to shape their procurement modernization strategies.
Why This Case Matters
- It was among the first successful PPP-led e-Governance models in India.
- The project demonstrated that state-led digital transformation is viable when supported by policy coherence, strong leadership, and robust systems thinking.
- It validated the idea that transparency and efficiency can go hand-in-hand in public procurement.
- The case analysis has been cited in World Bank studies, Digital India policy discussions, and capacity-building curricula across India and South Asia.
