In a significant step towards Digital India, the Maharashtra government has partnered with Meta. This new agreement will allow citizens to access a range of government services via WhatsApp, from booking bus tickets to downloading essential government certificates. This initiative aims to eliminate the need for citizens to visit government offices, making essential services accessible with just a few clicks.
New "Aapli Sarkar" Chatbot Launching on WhatsApp
Under this agreement between Meta and the Maharashtra government, a WhatsApp chatbot called "Aapli Sarkar" will soon be launched. This chatbot will provide services to state citizens in Marathi, Hindi, and English. Importantly, users can interact using both text and voice. Citizens will be able to file complaints, download government documents, and access services like bus ticket booking through this chatbot.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's Major Announcement
Announcing this partnership, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that his government is committed to making government services more accessible and efficient using open-source generative AI (Gen AI) technology. He highlighted that Meta's collaboration will simplify digital access to government services, reducing citizen difficulties and increasing transparency in government processes.
Utilizing AI in Government Systems
Along with launching the WhatsApp chatbot, the Maharashtra government will utilize Meta's open-source large language model (Llama). The goal is to increase the productivity and efficiency of government systems. AI-based solutions will be developed to make administrative decisions faster and more accurate. This will be built upon Llama's reasoning engine, ultimately boosting the productivity of government officials.
Citizens to Benefit from Digital Services
This new initiative by the Maharashtra government will greatly benefit citizens. They will no longer need to spend hours queuing or visiting government offices for government work. Through WhatsApp, people can easily access all the necessary services without any hassle. This step will prove to be a significant advancement towards making Maharashtra digitally empowered.
