Bhubaneswar: Accessing several important services of the Odisha Revenue Department is set to become more convenient as the state government has introduced a new WhatsApp-based platform for citizens. The initiative, named ‘Ama Sathi’, is designed to allow people to access revenue-related services and raise grievances without having to visit government offices repeatedly.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari launched the chatbot on Wednesday, marking another step towards expanding digital governance and making government services more accessible to citizens across Odisha.
How to Access ‘Ama Sathi’ on WhatsApp
Citizens can use the new service by saving the official WhatsApp number 9437292000 on their mobile phones. The chatbot will provide access to a range of Revenue Department services through WhatsApp.
At the initial stage, 16 services have been brought under the platform, while two more services are expected to be incorporated later.
The WhatsApp-based system is expected to make the process of accessing government services simpler, particularly for people who face difficulties travelling to government offices or navigating multiple online platforms.
Land, Certificates and Registration Services Included
The ‘Ama Sathi’ chatbot covers several commonly used Revenue Department services. Among them are land conversion or Kisam Paribartan, marriage registration and mutation-related services.
Citizens can also use the platform for various certificates, including:
- Caste certificates
- Income certificates
- Residence certificates
- Mutation-related services
- Land conversion services
- Marriage registration-related services
The inclusion of these frequently required services is expected to benefit citizens who otherwise need to visit government offices or use separate digital platforms to complete different applications.
WhatsApp Platform Expected to Help People in Remote Areas
One of the major advantages of the initiative could be its accessibility. WhatsApp is widely used across Odisha, including in rural and remote areas. By bringing government services onto a familiar messaging platform, the state government aims to reduce some of the difficulties associated with accessing public services.
The initiative could also be useful during natural disasters, floods and other emergencies. When movement becomes difficult because of severe weather or road disruptions, citizens may be able to access several services from their homes through their mobile phones.
Another Step Towards Digital Governance
Several Revenue Department services were already available through government websites and mobile applications. The introduction of ‘Ama Sathi’ adds WhatsApp as another channel through which citizens can interact with the department.
The move is expected to reduce unnecessary visits to government offices and make the delivery of revenue services more convenient and citizen-focused.
With additional services likely to be added to the platform in the future, the ‘Ama Sathi’ chatbot could become an important digital gateway for Odisha residents seeking land, certificate and other Revenue Department services.
