Minister Kharge launches WhatsApp chat service for citizens to access gram panchayat facilities
Bengaluru: In a novel attempt in India, people in rural areas of Karnataka are being provided an online chat service on WhatsApp to get information on the set-up and various services provided by all the gram panchayats in the state, with Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge launching the program at his office in the Vidhana Soudha on Friday.
"The citizens may use the new online service to file their complaints on 78 issues related to shortage of drinking water supply, poor quality of roads and bridges, implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Panchayat Raj, among others. They may also keep a watch on the handling of these issues by the government departments," explained Kharge.
This is the first time that such an online chat service is being provided to the gram panchayat areas in India. The citizens may get access to the facility through mobile phone number 8277506000. They may use the service to submit application forms for various services, keep track of the submitted forms and also file complaints related to their problems, said the Panchayat Raj Department authorities.
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Govt launches Haj Suvidha App 2.0 for ease of pilgrims
New Delhi, Nov 23: The Minority Affairs Ministry on Saturday launched the Haj Suvidha App 2.0 with the new version introducing key features such as air travel details, a navigation system with Mina maps, and medical history and health advisories for Indian pilgrims going on Haj.
The application was launched by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju after he inaugurated the Conference of Chairpersons of State and UT Haj Committees in the presence of Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian and Chairman of the Haj Committee of India Abdullahkutti, among others.
In his address, Rijiju noted that the Haj pilgrimage is the largest logistical operation undertaken annually by the government of India beyond its borders.
He emphasised that Haj has long been a cornerstone of the strong bilateral relationship between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rijiju highlighted several significant reforms aimed at improving the pilgrimage experience, including the removal of the discretionary quota, the integration of technology through the Haj Suvidha App, and the provision of facilities for female pilgrims without Mehram.
Kurian spoke about the new measures being implemented for Haj 2025, designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of the Indian pilgrims.
Among the key initiatives, he mentioned the procurement of modern buildings with lifts not only in Aziziya but also in nearby areas close to the Haram.
Additionally, the latest model buses will be introduced for travel between Makkah, Madinah, and within the Mashaer region.
The conference, organised by the Haj Committee of India under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, also marked the launch of the Haj Suvidha App 2.0 by Rijiju.
Building on the success of the Haj Suvidha App 1.0 in 2024, the new version introduces key features such as the selection process, boarding pass and air travel details, a navigation system with Mina maps, and medical history and health advisories for Indian pilgrims.
The conference included discussions on stakeholder feedback, suggestions and preparations.
