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GeM Invoice Approved but Payment Delayed: What to Do Next

Reviewed on: 2026-05-30.

GeM Invoice Approved but Payment Delayed evidence and complaint desk

GeM invoice approved but payment delayed: How to get payment and claim interest?

When GeM (Government e-Marketplace) approves your invoice but delays payment, here is the complete guide:

  1. Step 1: What is GeM? (a) GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is the online procurement platform for government departments (gem.gov.in), (b) vendors supply goods/services to government buyers through GeM (the buyer raises a purchase order, the vendor supplies, the buyer inspects and approves the invoice), © the payment terms are specified in the purchase order (typically 10-30 days from invoice approval — as per GFR rules), (d) the payment is made through the GeM portal (directly to the vendor's bank account).
  2. Step 2: Common problem. (a) the buyer approves the invoice (the invoice status shows “Approved” on GeM), (b) but the payment is not received (delays of 30-90 days are common — some cases extend to 6 months), © the buyer does not respond to messages on GeM (or says “the file is with the accounts department”), (d) the vendor's cash flow is affected (the vendor may have taken a loan for the supply — and the loan interest is accruing).
  3. Step 3: Payment timeline. (a) as per GFR (General Financial Rules) Rule 149: the payment must be made within 30 days of invoice approval (for goods), (b) for services: the payment must be made within 30 days of completion of service (as per the contract), © if the payment is delayed beyond 30 days: the buyer must pay interest at the rate of 1% per month (or as specified in the contract — whichever is higher), (d) the interest is calculated from the 31st day (not from the invoice date — the first 30 days are interest-free).
  4. Step 4: How to get payment. (a) send a message to the buyer on the GeM portal (request payment — keep a screenshot of the message), (b) send an email to the buyer's Controlling Officer (the officer who oversees the buyer's department — the email should reference the PO number and invoice number), © file a complaint on the GeM portal (gem.gov.in → “Grievance” → “Payment Related” — provide the PO number, invoice number, and approved date), (d) the GeM grievance cell forwards the complaint to the buyer's department (the department must respond within 7 days).
  5. Step 5: Claim interest. (a) file a written claim with the buyer (claim the interest for the delayed period — with calculation), (b) if the buyer does not pay the interest: file a complaint with the buyer's Financial Adviser (the FA is responsible for ensuring timely payment — and can approve the interest payment), © file a complaint with the Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance — which oversees GFR compliance), (d) file a consumer complaint (the delayed payment is a deficiency of service — the consumer forum can order payment with interest and compensation).
  6. Step 6: File RTI. File RTI with the buyer's department asking for: (a) the status of payment for GeM PO number [number] (invoice number [number], approved on [date]), (b) the date of invoice approval (to calculate the 30-day deadline and interest), © whether the payment has been processed (if yes: provide the transaction reference number and date), (d) if not processed: the reason for delay (and the expected date of payment), (e) whether interest has been calculated for the delay (if yes: provide the amount and calculation).
  7. Step 7: Escalation. (a) file a complaint with the CGA (Controller General of Accounts — cga.nic.in — which oversees government payments), (b) file a writ petition in the High Court (if the payment is unreasonably delayed — the court can order the department to pay within a specified timeframe with interest), © file a complaint with the CVC (Central Vigilance Commission — if the delay is due to corruption or collusion — the CVC can investigate).

See Find PIO and Income Certificate Status.

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