The Delhi government is set to take a significant step to make its services even easier and more accessible. Soon, the ‘WhatsApp Governance‘ platform will be launched in the capital, through which citizens will be able to avail themselves of many government services sitting at home. This unique initiative will save both time and money for the people, eliminating the need to visit government offices. Initially, 25 to 30 important services like marriage certificates, caste certificates, driving licenses, and birth-death certificates will be available on this platform.
How will this system work
A special mobile number will be issued for this service. Citizens will be able to start the process by just writing “Hi” on this number. After this, an AI-based multilingual chatbot (which will initially be in Hindi and English) will guide the citizens step-by-step. After the process of document upload and verification is completed, the relevant certificates can be downloaded directly on WhatsApp through QR code. This 24/7 digital facility will help people to avail the service at any time.
Main objectives of ‘WhatsApp Governance’
This ambitious project is being considered as a part of the Delhi government’s digital transformation strategy. It has several important objectives:
To make government services available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
To relieve people from the hassle of visiting government offices repeatedly.
To make government schemes and information easily accessible to citizens.
According to government officials, Meta and WhatsApp BSP partners can also be included in this project, which will ensure technical strength and security.
What will happen to those who do not have a smartphone
The government has also taken into account that not all citizens have access to a smartphone or the internet. For such people, Common Service Centers (CSC) will be set up in all districts. People will be able to avail these services by visiting these centers and paying a fee of only ₹ 50. This step will prove to be very effective in bridging the digital divide.
Experts believe that with this initiative, Delhi will create a new identity in digital governance. This model can become an excellent example for other states in the future. Getting documents and certificates at home will not only save time and money but will also reduce the problem of crowds and middlemen in government offices. It is expected that in the coming months, Delhiites will be able to avail themselves of government services through just a WhatsApp message.