The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, released a notice on June 7, 2024, in which the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) requested an exemption for the procurement of 120 drugs. An amendment has been made to Rule 161(iv) of the General Financial Rules (GFRs) 2017, stipulating that no Global Tender Enquiry (GTE) shall be invited for tenders up to Rs. 200 crores. However, in exceptional cases where a ministry or department believes there are special reasons for issuing a GTE, it may record a detailed justification and seek prior approval for the relaxation of the above rule from the competent authority. 
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