Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has introduced a groundbreaking initiative, Mana Mitra, to transform governance through WhatsApp-based services. This project, launched in collaboration with Meta, will provide 161 civil services to citizens in its first phase, making Andhra Pradesh the first state in India to implement WhatsApp Governance at such a scale.

Speaking on the occasion, IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized the importance of technology in enhancing accessibility and efficiency in governance. He stated that the concept of WhatsApp Governance emerged from his Yuvagalam Padayatra, where he closely interacted with citizens and understood their struggles with bureaucratic processes.

“In today’s world, everything is accessible at the touch of a button—whether it is booking a cab, ordering food, or watching a movie. So, why shouldn’t governance be as accessible?” he remarked.

Under the new initiative, citizens can avail of services such as obtaining caste and income certificates, paying electricity bills, and accessing transport-related documents through WhatsApp. The government has assigned a dedicated WhatsApp number (9552300009) for public access.

Highlighting the challenges people face in accessing essential services, Lokesh recalled instances where citizens repeatedly had to visit government offices for certificates and other approvals. “This system aims to eliminate such difficulties by providing services instantly through WhatsApp,” he said.

Minister Lokesh also announced that in the next phase, 360 additional civil services would be integrated into the WhatsApp platform, connecting 36 government departments. Each document issued through the platform will carry a QR code linked to the Andhra Pradesh government’s official portal, ensuring authenticity and preventing fraudulent certificates.

Moreover, the state government is planning to integrate blockchain technology for enhanced security and seamless digital service delivery. Future updates will include AI-driven chatbots and voice-based services, making governance even more accessible to citizens.

Meta India Vice President and Head Sandhya Devanathan expressed her appreciation for Andhra Pradesh’s digital transformation, calling it a pioneering effort.

“WhatsApp is a key part of people’s lives. With ‘Mana Mitra,’ we are bringing governance to citizens’ fingertips, making access to services easier than ever before,” she said. Similarly, WhatsApp India Head Ravi Garg highlighted that while the platform has collaborated with multiple state governments, Andhra Pradesh is the first to provide such a comprehensive range of services on a single platform.

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Lokesh assured that the government is committed to improving the initiative based on user feedback and will continue refining the system for maximum efficiency. “This is just the beginning. Over the next six months, we will enhance ‘Mana Mitra’ into a fully optimized platform,” he said.

The launch event was attended by key officials, including Bhaskar Katamaneni, Secretary of IT, Electronics and Communication Department, and RTGS CEO K. Dinesh, alongside other dignitaries. With this initiative, Andhra Pradesh has taken a significant step toward modernizing governance, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and ensuring hassle-free access to essential services, a move that could inspire similar efforts across the country.

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