Government services now just a message away — 1001 services on Aaple Sarkar portal accessible via WhatsApp
Government services now just a message away — 1001 services on Aaple Sarkar portal accessible via WhatsApp
Gone are the days when citizens had to stand in long queues or run from one office to another just to get official work done. In a major step towards simplifying access to public services, the Maharashtra government has decided to make all services available through the ‘Aaple Sarkar’ portal accessible via WhatsApp, allowing people to avail them directly from their homes.
Currently, the state offers 1001 different services through the portal, with 997 of them already live. In just the last 15 days, 236 new services have been added. Now, all these will be made available through WhatsApp as well, which is expected to make the process faster, smoother, and much more convenient for citizens.
The decision was taken during a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, where he emphasized the importance of making government services more citizen-friendly. To ensure smoother delivery of these services at the grassroots level, a ‘ring and cluster’ model will be rolled out in each taluka. Initially, 10 to 12 villages from every taluka will be brought under this system, and services will be provided based on local requirements. A separate team will manage the system, and the DISH Digital Service Hub will help support its implementation, further enhancing efficiency and reach.
Meanwhile, in a move to reduce duplication and confusion in urban areas, CM Fadnavis has also instructed the consolidation of nine similar services currently provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation into a single, unified service. Additionally, he has directed departments to carry out regular third-party audits to ensure service quality, minimize the number of documents required during application processes, and bring uniformity across all district councils, municipal corporations, and universities by introducing standardized dashboards.
Looking ahead, the government is also working on a long-term vision. A special document titled ‘Developed Maharashtra 2047’ is being prepared, outlining short, medium, and long-term goals for the state. More than four lakh citizens have contributed their suggestions, ensuring the vision reflects the true needs and aspirations of the people. CM Fadnavis believes that once a clear goal is set, the roadmap to achieve it becomes more focused. He stressed that modern technology, innovation, and awareness of global developments should be at the heart of implementing this vision. Thanking the people of Maharashtra for their active involvement, he expressed confidence that this vision document will help shape not just the future of the state but also position it as a global leader.
