VIJAYAWADA: Minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh has announced that 500 citizen services will be made available to people under ‘Mana Mitra’ (WhatsApp Governance) by June 30.
During a short discussion on WhatsApp Governance in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, he said Artificial Intelligence-enabled services, and QR code will be introduced.
Necessary legal amendments will be made to the existing laws in the next Assembly session. With the introduction of QR code, there will be no scope to tamper with any documents or certificates, he explained.
Underlining the need to provide quality services to all like education, Lokesh said he conducted a deep study on good governance.
“My wish is that administration should be in the hands of the people through ‘Visible Governance - Invisible Government’ mode. Also, my opinion is that there should be no need for officers and politicians in their daily life,” he asserted.
Now, 200 services are being provided to the people under WhatApp Governance. The State government strongly believes that WhatApp Governance will certainly play a crucial role in the implementation of revolutionary reforms, the IT Minister said. He informed the Assembly that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has indicated that TTD services too should be brought under the purview of ‘Mana Mitra’.
Govt means not office, it is service, says IT Minister
Lokesh said a decision will be taken in this regard after holding discussions with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials.
“Government means not office, but one should always remember service. The CM’s objective is to make Andhra Pradesh number one in the country in all sectors. WhatsApp Governance is going to be a key reform in politics in the coming days,” he asserted.
“I learnt technology through my MBA from Stanford University. I came to know public issues directly with my Yuva Galam Padayatra. When I met the people, they complained that they had to queue up before the government offices for days together to get the services.
In fact, they asked me as to why the government services were not available like cinema tickets, Swiggy food, essentials and cabs which are simply available by switching a button. The people also complained that they had to pay money if they go to government offices. This is the reason as to why they do not want to approach the government offices,” Lokesh explained.
“The TDP-Jana Sena combine has won a majority of MPTC seats in Duggirala of Mangalagiri Assembly. When an MPP seat was reserved for a BC woman, the then MLA from Mangalagiri came in the way of issuing the caste certificate. That day itself I had decided to bring transformation in public administration, and WhatsApp Governance stuck in my mind at that time,” Lokesh stated.