Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 28: In a major step towards digital governance, the Maharashtra government has partnered with social media giant Meta to roll out WhatsApp-based citizen services, making government facilities more accessible and efficient.

Announced during Mumbai Tech Week 2025, the initiative will enable 125 million citizens to access various government services through a single WhatsApp number. The AI-powered chatbot, ‘Aaple Sarkar’, will provide services in Marathi, Hindi, and English, supporting both text and voice interactions.

The chatbot will streamline services such as lodging grievances, downloading certificates, booking MSRTC and BEST bus tickets, and delivering crucial agricultural updates for farmers.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging open-source Gen AI technology for improved governance. “With Meta’s support, we are bridging the gap between citizens and government services, making them digitally accessible like never before,” he said.

Additionally, the Maharashtra government will integrate Meta’s open-source large language model, Llama, to boost administrative efficiency and decision-making. Meta will pilot a Gen AI solution to simplify government documentation and enhance productivity.

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President of Meta India, highlighted WhatsApp’s ease of use in delivering public services. “This chatbot will revolutionize how citizens interact with governance, making services more convenient and accessible,” she stated.