Bhubaneswar: Making government services more accessible than ever before, the Odisha government has rolled out ‘Ama Sathi’, a unified WhatsApp chatbot that brings over 120 public services directly to citizens’ phones. Launched in partnership with Meta, the initiative is expected to benefit more than 4.5 crore people across the state.
Unveiled by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at Lok Seva Bhavan, the digital platform aims to simplify processes that were earlier scattered across multiple portals and offices. From applying for certificates and licenses to accessing social welfare schemes, citizens can now complete these tasks through a single WhatsApp number (9437292000).
The chatbot, available in Odia and English, also comes with voice-enabled support to make it easier for first-time digital users. Among the key services are applications for birth, residence, and income certificates, driving and fertilizer licenses, and benefits such as the National Family Benefit Scheme and inter-caste marriage incentives. Citizens can additionally use the platform to check land records, track grievances, connect with police services, and access resources in education, agriculture, housing, and urban development.
Alongside the chatbot, the state also launched a Central Monitoring System (CMS) Dashboard under the Odisha Right to Public Services Act (ORTPSA) to track delivery timelines and ensure accountability in governance.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Secretary Ahuja said the government is committed to using technology to remove barriers in service delivery.
“Ama Sathi represents a transformative step in making governance seamless, transparent, and inclusive. This platform ensures that essential services are no longer tied to bureaucracy but are available to every citizen—whether in cities or the remotest villages—at their fingertips.”
Development Commissioner Anu Garg emphasized the role of the CMS Dashboard in ensuring timely delivery, while GA&PG Additional Chief Secretary Surendra Kumar said awareness campaigns across TV, radio, buses, and hoardings would soon be launched to reach all citizens.
Meta executives also welcomed the collaboration, noting Odisha is only the second state in India to adopt such an initiative. “WhatsApp’s simplicity makes it the natural platform for accessing public services. By reducing friction and enabling real-time interaction, Ama Sathi will make governance more citizen-friendly,” said Arun Srinivas, Meta’s Managing Director and Country Head for India.
Developed by the Centre for Modernizing Government Initiative (CMGI) in collaboration with Meta India, Ama Sathi currently integrates 120 services but is expected to expand to over 500 services by March 2026, making it one of the most comprehensive digital governance platforms in the country.
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