From paying utility bills to applying for passport, this amazing app brings over 4,000 government and private services to your finger tips. Here is all you need to know about the world's largest multi-channel mobile service made possible by the Government of Karnataka.
From paying utility bills to applying for passport, this amazing app brings over 4,000 government and private services to your finger tips. Here is all you need to know about the world’s largest multi-channel mobile service made possible by the Government of Karnataka.
On December 8, people of Karnataka woke up to the great news that their life had just been simplified by a new mobile app launched by the government which brought many government services to their fingertips. From paying utility bills, taxes and traffic challans to even applying for passport and registering complaints regarding non-active administration, the MobileOne app is expected to ease the citizens’ work to a great extent apart from enabling them to get associated with government services more closely.
Launched by President Pranab Mukherjee in Bangalore, the facility claims to have over 4,000 services integrated in it. The application includes 637 government services and 3,644 private services, making Karnataka the first state to provide a single platform to citizens to avail both private and government services. This also makes it the world’s largest multi-channel mobile service.
Here is all you need to know
MobileOne will enable citizens to pay electricity bills, property tax, traffic challans and even apply for driving license, passport, pan card, etc. Users can also book train and bus tickets with the help of the app.
The payments can be done through debit/credit cards and online wallets. Government has also launched “Karnataka Wallets” to simplify the mode of payment.
The app is available on iOS, Android and, for the non-smartphone users, the facility can be availed by dialling 161 or *161#. You can also give a missed call on 1800-425-425-425 to activate the service. The service can be accessed from anywhere in the world and will be available throughout the year.
The interesting tool will also allow people to be more interactive with the authorities. Users can click pictures of the potholes, dysfunctional street lights, etc. and bring them to the notice of relevant officials.
Users can avail the facilities of this app without even downloading it through the website mobile.karnataka.gov.in, where after registering their number they can select the category they want to use.
The app has been developed by Karnataka government’s Centre for E-Governance and mobile VAS provider IMIMobile.
The Future
The app will add more features in the future making it more user-friendly. For example, commuters on the Bangalore Metro will be able to pay for their ride using their phone itself without having to get the ticket from the counter.
After required legal formalities are done, users will be able to file FIRs using their phone without going to the police station.
To empower local artisans and farmers, an auction system will also be integrated in the MobileOne where they can connect to a larger market.
Why this app can be a gamechanger?
The app is accessible by all users of all telecom circles and shows a positive step towards effective governance in the future. The one-of-its-kind app will enable prompt action on complaints apart from quick access to utility services and their payments.
In 2013, the BJP government in Karnataka had also launched a pilot project that included payment of electricity, water and mobile bills. The MobileOne app has taken that initiative to a much larger scale.
The app covers a huge variety of services including utilities, police, healthcare, travel, education, agriculture, transport, taxes, etc. which makes it beneficial to the user of every age group.
What are people saying?
The interesting initiative was welcomed with a positive response from people across the country. Here is what people are saying on Twitter about the recently launched mobile app –
Hopefully,life will become easier for citizens of #Karnataka after the launch of the #mGovernance platform:MobileOne http://t.co/YL5GxJlIra
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) December 9, 2014
Mobile-first government apps make sense in India given 80% mobile penetration vs 10% laptop http://t.co/eZqa5Zaorp
— Dev Khare (@dkhare) November 27, 2014
The Karnataka MobileOne app is pretty awesome, not in terms of UI, but features and facilities. Still Bangalore centric though — Raju (@rajupp) December 9, 2014
Yes, it is new and there are lots of bugs to be fixed yet. Yes, it is mostly useful for residents of Bengaluru as of now. But it certainly is a giant step in transparent and interactive governance, so we applaud the initiative and urge everyone to download the app, use it and also give your recommendations on how to improve it.
You can download the MobileOne app on Android and iOS.
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia).
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