Kolkatans trying to make a new Aadhaar card or make modification in an existing one can now book appointments through a WhatsApp chatbot run by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
The civic body would also provide pending property tax information and a link to pay the due through the WhatsApp chatbot.
Interested persons have to write ‘Hi’ and WhatsApp it to 8335999111. The chatbot will initiate a conversation through which the appointment can be booked.
Several new payment modes like credit cards and UPI payments will now be
allowed for a host of services, the KMC announced on Saturday. “We will give six appointments for Aadhaar card related issues every hour through the chatbot. It can be an appointment to make a new Aadhaar card or make modifications in the existing Aadhaar card,” said Sandipan Saha, the mayoral council in charge of the KMC’s information technology department.
The KMC has a permanent Aadhaar card centre at the Roxy cinema building in Esplanade where people have to queue up to make an Aadhaar card or make changes in the card. While the old system of queuing up will continue, the appointments through the chatbot will be an additional option available to people.
A number of people are yet to add their phone numbers to the Aadhaar card, a linking that has become necessary and for being able to avail many services like online verification of income tax return and others.
Residents of the Kolkata municipal area can also use the same WhatsApp number to obtain information about pending property tax. “When people begin a conversation with the chatbot, they will be given options on what they want help with. One of the options would be to get information about property tax,” said Saha. “People will get a statement of their pending property tax, along with which they will receive a link to make the payment.”
WhatsApp for KMC Aadhaar
While only debit card and netbanking payments were allowed earlier, under the new system payments can be done through credit cards and UPI payments like Phone Pe and Paytm.
Mutation documents
Property owners will now be able to upload documents necessary for mutation of their property through the KMC’s website.
Kolkatans could apply for mutation online but they had to physically visit a KMC office to submit the registration deed. The website will now allow the person to upload the documents. “The KMC will do the verification and email the mutation certificate to the applicant once ready,” said Saha.
This service will be available only through the website and not the chatbot.
Chatbot help
WhatsApp chatbot launched to give appointments for Aadhaar card modifications and making new card
• Type Hi and send to 8335999111
• Follow the instructions to get the appointment
• Only six appointments will be given in an hour