Has Odisha Unveiled the ‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp Chatbot for Seamless Citizen Services?
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Synopsis
Odisha has taken a remarkable step by launching ‘Ama Sathi’, a WhatsApp chatbot that provides citizens with easy access to essential public services. This initiative not only simplifies the process but also bridges the gap between the government and its people, ensuring seamless service delivery.
Key Takeaways
- ‘Ama Sathi’ is a WhatsApp chatbot offering over 120 essential public services.
- Citizens can easily access services like certificates and licenses from a single WhatsApp number.
- The chatbot is available in both Odia and English.
- It facilitates grievance redressal and provides timely information for farmers and students.
- The initiative exemplifies Odisha’s commitment to inclusive governance through technology.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 26 (NationPress) The government of Odisha has officially introduced ‘Ama Sathi’, an integrated WhatsApp chatbot, aimed at providing residents with straightforward access to over 100 vital public services. This initiative makes Odisha the second state in India, following Andhra Pradesh, to collaborate with Meta in launching such a platform for citizen services.
The Ama Sathi Unified WhatsApp BOT has been created by the Centre for Modernising Government Initiative (CMGI) in partnership with Meta India. This innovative chatbot consolidates more than 120 citizen services into a single WhatsApp number, allowing residents to easily obtain essential documents like Residence and Income Certificates, various licenses including Driving and Fertiliser Licenses, and incentive schemes such as Inter-caste marriage benefits and the National Family Benefit Scheme.
The launch was officiated by Odisha's Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, marking a significant advancement towards enhancing convenient access to essential public services.
According to a press release from the state government, “Through this chatbot, citizens will be empowered to access critical government services such as acquiring Birth and Income Certificates, applying for driving and fertiliser licenses, and availing incentives like the National Family Benefits Scheme, all from a single WhatsApp number.”
Available in both Odia and English, the chatbot can be reached via the single WhatsApp number 9437292000 and includes voice functionalities. It is designed to serve as a comprehensive digital assistant, simplifying access to a broad array of essential public services.
This chatbot also allows users to conveniently raise and monitor public grievances, access resources for housing and urban development, and engage with general administration services. It further provides information related to education, agriculture, and horticulture, ensuring that both farmers and students receive timely assistance. Citizens in Odisha can also connect with police services for help, verify land records, and review revenue details,” the official statement elaborated.
In addition, C.S. Ahuja unveiled a dynamic Dashboard of the Odisha Right to Public Services Act’s Central Monitoring System (CMS). Ahuja remarked, “The Government of Odisha is dedicated to delivering seamless public services, ensuring that every citizen experiences convenience and efficiency at the last mile. Our investment in technology and training aims to dismantle bureaucratic barriers and improve overall accessibility. Today, with the launch of Ama Sathi in collaboration with Meta, Odisha is making significant strides towards a truly citizen-centric governance model.”
He further noted that accessing various public services has long been a complex and fragmented process for citizens. “This unified WhatsApp platform will streamline procedures, eliminate obstacles, and enable every citizen, from urban centers to the most remote areas of the state, to access essential services with simplicity and efficiency.
Initiatives like this exemplify Odisha’s vision of harnessing technology for transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance, ensuring that public service delivery becomes a smooth experience for everyone,” Ahuja concluded.
Point of View
The launch of ‘Ama Sathi’ in Odisha signifies a pivotal move towards digital governance. By leveraging technology to streamline access to public services, the state government is demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity and transparency. This initiative serves as a model for other states aiming to enhance citizen engagement and service delivery.
NationPress
26/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What services can be accessed through the Ama Sathi chatbot?
The Ama Sathi chatbot allows citizens to access over 120 services, including obtaining birth and income certificates, applying for various licenses, and availing of incentive schemes like the National Family Benefit Scheme.
How can citizens access the Ama Sathi chatbot?
Citizens can access the Ama Sathi chatbot via WhatsApp by messaging the number 9437292000.
Is the Ama Sathi chatbot available in multiple languages?
Yes, the Ama Sathi chatbot is available in both Odia and English.
What is the purpose of the Ama Sathi initiative?
The purpose of the Ama Sathi initiative is to simplify access to essential public services and improve citizen engagement with the government.
What other features does the Ama Sathi chatbot offer?
In addition to accessing public services, the chatbot allows users to raise and track grievances, and provides information on various sectors including education and agriculture.
