Dikhyaa Mohanty 
On Friday, the Odisha government and Meta partnered to introduce a single WhatsApp chatbot that would provide all governmental services to the state’s 45 million+ residents. Through a single WhatsApp number, citizens will be able to access essential government services like applying for driving and fertilizer licenses, obtaining birth and income certificates, and accessing incentives like the National Family Benefits Scheme, according to an official press release.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner-turned-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Assistant Chief Secretary, GA&PG Department Surendra Kumar, Director General, Gopabandhu Academy of Administration G. Mathivathanan, Commissioner-turned-Secretary, Higher Education Department Aravind Agrawal, and Former Information Commissioner and Mentor, CYSD Jagadananda were present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at Lok Seva Bhavan. On behalf of the Government of Odisha, the Centre for Modernizing Government Initiative (CMGI) and Meta India signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
By combining 429 government services into a single WhatsApp number, the Unified WhatsApp Chatbot will allow citizens to access vital services like Essential Certificates (birth, death, legal heir, residence, and income certificates), Licenses (driving license, fertilizer license, etc.), and Incentive Schemes (National Family Benefit Scheme, intercaste marriage benefits, etc.).
The government’s dedication to guaranteeing last-mile public service delivery was discussed by Development Commissioner Garg. She spoke about accountability and ease of use in service delivery, and she was sure that the Unified WhatsApp chatbot will enable people to easily access services.
