Bhubaneswar, Sept 27: In a landmark initiative, the Government of Odisha, in partnership with Meta, launched Ama Sathi, a unified WhatsApp chatbot aimed at providing over 120 essential citizen services to more than 45 million people across the state. The launch, which took place at the Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, was attended by top state officials including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.
The Ama Sathi chatbot offers a single platform where citizens can access a wide range of public services. These include obtaining vital certificates like Birth and Income Certificates, applying for licenses such as Driving and Fertilizer Licenses, and accessing government schemes like the National Family Benefits Scheme. Additionally, it allows users to report grievances, track requests, and access services related to education, agriculture, urban development, and even police assistance.
Available in both Odia and English, the chatbot is accessible via WhatsApp at the number 9437292000 and offers voice capabilities for ease of use. By integrating over 120 services into a single number, the platform aims to simplify the process of accessing public services, making it more user-friendly for citizens, including those in rural areas.
On the occasion, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasized the Odisha government’s commitment to delivering public services seamlessly. He stated, “This unified WhatsApp platform is a transformative step towards making governance more citizen-centric. It will remove barriers, simplify bureaucratic processes, and empower citizens to access services effortlessly, no matter where they are.”
The initiative was developed by the Centre for Modernizing Government Initiatives (CMGI) in collaboration with Meta India. Along with the launch of Ama Sathi, the Odisha Right to Public Services Act’s Central Monitoring System (CMS) Dashboard was also unveiled to ensure accountability and transparency in service delivery.
Several officials, including Development Commissioner Anu Garg and Additional Chief Secretary Surendra Kumar, highlighted the importance of governance reforms and the role of technology in making services more accessible to the public. They also discussed plans to conduct large-scale awareness campaigns through various media channels to reach citizens across the state.
Meta India’s Managing Director Arun Srinivas expressed pride in partnering with the Odisha government. He said, “By integrating WhatsApp with government services, we are making essential services more accessible and convenient for citizens. This collaboration underscores the power of technology to improve daily life and enhance citizen engagement.”
The Ama Sathi WhatsApp chatbot is currently providing access to more than 120 citizen services, with plans to expand to over 500 services by March 2026. The chatbot will continue to simplify and streamline access to government services, contributing to more efficient governance across Odisha.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Additional Secretary Debabrata Mallick. The launch program was coordinated by Ansuman Rath and Pinaki Mohanty from CMGI.
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