Now popular messaging app WhatsApp can be used by the people of West Bengal for government work as well. Instead of making endless rounds of the government offices, one can just become a member of a WhatsApp Chatbot and get the work done. This has been made possible by the Food and Supplies Department of the Government of West Bengal.
Noting the popularity of WhatsApp and its reach, the department decided to explore the app to be in touch with people so that their problems and grievances can be easily heard and addressed. Accordingly, a WhatApp chatbot was launched on which any person can contact the department for any queries on ration card, for application form, for lodging complaint or any other help,just from the comforts of home. The chatbot will also help farmers as they can now get accurate information about procurement and sale of paddy through it.
The good news is, the WhatsApp chatbot is free for everyone and can be used in two languages, English and Bengali. IAS Parwez Ahmad Siddiqui, a 1999-batch officer and secretary of the state’s Food and Supplies Department, has thanked WhatsApp for this facility, saying, “it is a feature that is pretty much required in today’s technology-driven era.”
EASY ACCESS TO GOVT DEPARTMENT
In this chatbot, one can apply for a ration card, track the application, get Aadhar link, and accurate information about the sale of paddy etc. Mr. Siddiqui says that through chatbots, common people will get access to the department very easily.
“It not only gives solution of problems to the people sitting at home, but also gives many important information. Through this, any person can get benefit of service of all the centers of the department sitting at home. Now people can get their work done quickly, as well as find out whether the food supply is reaching the remotest part of the state correctly or not. This is a feature that is a must-have in today’s technological age,” he informed.
The West Bengal government is already running the ‘Duare Ration’ (house-to-house ration) scheme. The benefit of this scheme will reach about 10 crore people of the state. To make this scheme a success, the Food and Supplies Department has also launched a mobile application, ‘Khaya Saathi: Amar Ration Mobile App’ along with the ‘WhatsApp Chatbot’.
HOW TO USE
With the chatbot facility, more than 10 crore beneficiaries of the state connected with the ration card will now get many more additional benefits. And the best part is, using this chatbot is very easy. To get the chatbot facility, people need to download the WhatsApp app on their mobile phones and then just send a message of ‘Hi’ by visiting the link given below.
