Andhra Pradesh expands WhatsApp services to 500 by June
The Government of Andhra Pradesh plans to expand its WhatsApp-based public service initiative, 'Mana Mitra', from 200 to 500 services by June 30, 2025. IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced this during a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. The initiative aims to simplify access to government services, taking inspiration from digital models in places like Singapore. The 'Mana Mitra' project currently offers services such as revenue certificates and property tax payments. By the end of March, this number will increase to 300 services. Lokesh emphasized the goal of making these services as easy to access as ordering food or booking a taxi. In addition, the government plans to introduce AI-enabled voice services within 100 days to improve user experience. A major change will be the shift to permanent digital documents, reducing the need for people to visit government offices repeatedly. Lokesh stated that once a certificate is issued digitally, citizens will not need to return to the offices for verification. The new system will use QR codes for tamper-proof certificates. ‘Mana Mitra’ will also include services related to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in the next month. Other services in areas like education, revenue, and public transportation will also be enhanced. The platform has already facilitated over 5.1 million transactions since January. To ensure the legal validity of these digital documents, the government will introduce necessary amendments in the next Assembly session. Lokesh also reassured the public about the security of the system, stating it follows encrypted protocols. The initiative will extend services to tribal communities by integrating Aadhaar-linked registrations. This WhatsApp-based model has caught the attention of other states, with Maharashtra starting similar projects. Lokesh emphasized that competition among states would encourage innovation in public service delivery. The government is also working to improve its Mee Seva centers and provide training for legislators on the new system. The overarching goal is to enable citizens to access government services within 10 seconds, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in e-governance.