CM Majhi Launches ‘Ama Sashan’ Feedback System to Strengthen Citizen-Centric Governance

Bhubaneswar, Aug 26: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday launched ‘Ama Sashan’, a new citizen feedback system designed to improve the implementation of government schemes and programmes across the state.

The system, built on advanced digital platforms, allows citizens to share feedback, complaints, and suggestions through multiple channels — the state government’s website chatbot (amashasana.odisha.gov.in), WhatsApp chatbot (+91-7400221903), and the toll-free helpline 14471.

Highlighting the importance of public participation, Majhi said, “No scheme can succeed without the opinion of the people. Their suggestions and feedback are the pillars of good governance, making the system more efficient.” He further announced that feedback will be received directly by him, Ministers, and senior officials via phone calls.

According to the Chief Minister, the initiative aims to promote transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in administration while bridging the gap between citizens and the government. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he remarked, “To find yourself, you have to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Majhi also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India programme for reducing corruption and enabling stronger citizen engagement in governance. Currently, Odisha provides 428 online services across 32 departments, and in the first phase of Ama Sashan, feedback will be collected on 13 services under eight departments.

During the launch, Majhi interacted with beneficiaries who confirmed that government services are reaching them more efficiently. Health and Family Welfare and Electronics & IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the integration of technology will ensure more responsive governance, while other senior ministers and top bureaucrats were also present.

However, the initiative drew criticism from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which termed it a “copy-paste” of the ‘5T and Mo Sarkar (My Government)’ model introduced by the previous Naveen Patnaik government in 2019.

BJD vice-president Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak alleged that the BJP government has merely rebranded nearly 25 schemes of the BJD era. He argued that ‘Mo Sarkar’ had earned national recognition, including praise from NITI Aayog and the Prime Minister’s Office, and accused the BJP of relaunching what it once criticized.

Despite the political row, the state government maintained that Ama Sashan will serve as a direct bridge between the administration and citizens, ensuring people’s voices shape governance.