Andhra Pradesh Launches WhatsApp Governance for Citizens
The Andhra Pradesh government has officially rolled out WhatsApp Governance, a new initiative that provides 161 services to citizens.
Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has officially rolled out WhatsApp Governance, a new initiative that provides 161 services to citizens. The service was launched by Minister for Information Technology and Human Resources Development, Nara Lokesh, on Thursday.
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A Revolutionary Shift in Public Service Delivery
Through WhatsApp Governance, citizens can easily access various government services, submit applications, and receive important alerts from the authorities. The government has set up a verified WhatsApp number, 9552300009, to facilitate these services.
Initially, WhatsApp Governance will cover services related to several key departments, including Endowments, Energy, APSRTC, Revenue, Anna Canteen, CMRF, and Municipal Administration. More departments are expected to join the platform in the coming days.
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WhatsApp Governance: A Step Toward a Paperless Future
This service allows citizens to bypass traditional government office visits for certificates such as OBC, EWS, income, and no earning certificates. By using WhatsApp, people can also submit petitions, grievances, and receive immediate reference numbers to track their requests.
The service also allows citizens to receive vital information, including alerts on weather conditions, flood updates, electricity repairs, public health services, and emergency messages from various departments such as agriculture and tourism.
Additionally, citizens can pay utility bills, access trade licenses, and obtain land records directly via WhatsApp. The platform also enables ticket bookings for APSRTC buses and tourist destinations, along with accommodation reservations.
Enhancing Digital Governance
Andhra Pradesh is the first state in India to introduce WhatsApp Governance, a significant move towards paperless and hassle-free public services. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the role of cybersecurity measures to protect citizens’ data from breaches. The government has directed officials to strengthen security frameworks to ensure the safety of personal information.
The state government had signed an agreement with Meta in October 2024 to implement this digital initiative, marking a significant milestone in the vision to position Andhra Pradesh as a leader in digital governance and technology-driven public service delivery.