Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government, in partnership with Meta, on Friday launched ‘Ama Sathi’, a unified WhatsApp chatbot that will make 120 citizen services accessible to more than 45 million people across the state.
The chatbot was unveiled at Lok Seva Bhavan in the presence of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
“Through this chatbot, citizens will be able to access critical government services like obtaining birth and income certificates, applying for driving and fertilizer licences, and accessing incentives such as the National Family Benefits Scheme, all through a single WhatsApp number,” an official release said.
Available in both Odia and English, the chatbot is accessible via a single WhatsApp number 9437292000 and comes with voice capabilities.
“People can also conveniently raise and track public grievances, access housing and urban development resources, and interact with general administration services. The chatbot also provides services related to education, agriculture, and horticulture, ensuring farmers and students alike can get timely information and support. Citizens in Odisha can also connect with police services for assistance, check land records and revenue details,” it added.
Dashboard of the Odisha Right to Public Services Act’s Central Monitoring System (CMS) was also launched on the occasion.
“The government is committed to delivering seamless public services, ensuring that every citizen experiences convenience and efficiency at the last mile. This commitment is underscored by our investment in technology and training, aiming to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and enhance overall accessibility. Today, with the launch of Ama Sathi in partnership with Meta, Odisha takes a transformative step in making governance truly citizen-centric. For too long, accessing public services has been fragmented and cumbersome. This unified WhatsApp platform will simplify processes, remove barriers, and empower every citizen, from urban centres to the remotest corners of the state, to access essential services with ease and efficiency. Initiatives like this reflect Odisha’s vision of leveraging technology for transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance, ensuring that public service delivery is not just a function, but a seamless experience for all,” said the chief secretary.
Garg added that accountability in service delivery will be ensured through the ORTPSA Central Monitoring System (CMS) Dashboard.
The Ama Sathi Whatsapp Chatbot, developed by the Centre for Modernizing Government Initiative (CMGI) in collaboration with Meta India, will be expanded to more than 500 services over the coming months, further simplifying citizen access to government services across departments, the release added.
