The app follows similar initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has become the latest Indian leader to try and reach the digital generation through an app of his own.
The NCBN app – the name is derived from the chief minister’s initials – was launched this week and follows similar initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Apart from giving updates and providing a channel of communication, the NCBN app allows users to ask questions, share ideas, and review government schemes. The app also collates news from all the districts in Andhra Pradesh, and will reportedly lay out government policies with detailed infographics.
It also includes a section with memorable quotes from Naidu to “inspire” citizens.
The app is a part of the state government’s ‘Real-Time Governance’, a system focused on providing instant help and grievance redressal to citizens.
“This app will help address corruption in the state, as well as other grievances people might have,” said Pavan, who heads the social media team for Real-Time Governance. The Andhra Pradesh government earlier used an app called ‘Kaizala’, which essentially functions like WhatsApp, to “connect” citizens with the chief minister.
The app had a 1,000 downloads by Thursday morning.
One of many
With more and more people jumping onboard the smartphone bandwagon, app outreach seems to be taking off in a big way among politicians.
The Prime Minister launched the Narendra Modi app in 2015, with features including recordings of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ podcast and a news bulletin for government updates. The app courted controversry amid the recent Facebook privacy scandal following allegations that it outsourced information to a third-party domain, including users’ personal details. The BJP has said the information is being used for “analytics”.
Adityanath’s app, launched before he became CM, in 2016, has no discernable features: The description on Google Play Store consists of just his biography, and there are multiple app reviews that just say “har har Mahadev”.
Other politicians have also launched apps named after themselves, though their functions remain arbitrary. The majority of these apps are meant to simply convey information that the leaders put out. For example, science and environment minister Dr Harsh Vardhan’s app seeks to instill awareness on climate change.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had his app taken offline just a month ago, after the Election Commission deemed it a violation of the model code of conduct. The app was up only for six months.
Digital India
Both the central and state goverments have launched several apps to aid governance.
The Modi government introduced the BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) app in 2016 to enable cashless payments and allow the transfer of money over the phone. In 2017, he launched Umang, an app that seeks to offer over a 100 state and central government services online — from applying for an Aadhaar card to calling for an LPG cylinder.
In January, the Himachal Pradesh government launched an app called Shakti, which comes with a panic button to help women report crimes. Home minister Rajnath Singh has also launched a similar app named Himmat.
NCBN is NOT the first mover in the State! After Namo App, Pawan Kalyan has a Jana Sena App! Check your news info!