‘Ama Sathi’ WhatsApp Chatbot: Odisha brings 120 public services to citizens’ fingertips

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

In a major step towards digital governance and citizen-centric service delivery, the Odisha government on Friday unveiled *‘Ama Sathi’* (My Companion), a unified WhatsApp chatbot that will provide access to 120 essential public services at the touch of a button.

Launched by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, the chatbot will allow citizens to apply for vital documents like birth and income certificates, driving licenses, and fertilizer licenses. Beneficiaries can also avail schemes such as the National Family Benefits Scheme through the platform. Available in both Odia and English, the service is accessible on WhatsApp via the dedicated number 9437292000 and comes equipped with voice-enabled features for greater inclusivity.

“Through this chatbot, people can conveniently raise and track public grievances, access housing and urban development resources, and interact with general administration services. It also covers sectors such as education, agriculture, and horticulture, ensuring that both farmers and students can get timely information and support,” Ahuja said at the launch.

The initiative further enables citizens to connect with police services, check land records and revenue details, making *Ama Sathi* a true one-stop digital assistant. Alongside, Ahuja also launched a dynamic Dashboard of the Odisha Right to Public Services Act’s Central Monitoring System (CMS), strengthening transparency and accountability.

Developed by the Centre for Modernizing Government Initiative (CMGI) in collaboration with Meta, Ama Sathi represents a transformative shift in citizen engagement. “We believe WhatsApp will enable swift and convenient access to services through a single number. By March 2026, our goal is to deliver all public services on WhatsApp via text and voice,” said Vineet Bharadwaj, Executive Director, CMGI.

Echoing this vision, Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Country Head of Meta, noted, “By enabling real-time interaction with government services, WhatsApp reduces friction, simplifies processes, and ensures essential services are available anytime, anywhere. This is a model of how technology can drive citizen-first governance.”

Odisha is now the second state after Andhra Pradesh to adopt such a platform in partnership with Meta, marking a significant milestone in bridging governance and technology for public benefit.