Panchamitra WhatsApp Chatbot Tops Grievance Charts in Kalaburagi and Tumakuru
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department launched a unique WhatsApp chatbot called Panchamitra. This initiative aims to address rural grievances across Karnataka. Recent data shows Kalaburagi and Tumakuru districts leading in complaint numbers.
District-Wise Complaint Breakdown
Kalaburagi district registered 770 grievances on the chatbot. Tumakuru followed closely with 739 complaints. Other districts also reported significant figures. Raichur recorded 693 grievances, while Belagavi saw 648.
Officials revealed the chatbot currently serves 1.21 lakh users. They claim a resolution rate of 99.50% for registered complaints. The Panchamitra portal and WhatsApp helpline started operations in March 2024.
Minister Highlights Success and Services
RDPR minister Priyank Kharge spoke about the initiative. He told TOI that the helpline provides about 100 services at Gram Panchayat level. These services come from various departments. The minister emphasized the chatbot's role in helping rural people.
"The helpline has emerged as a successful tool to help rural people," Kharge stated. He added that it has prevented middlemen's menace in grievance redressal.
Statistical Overview and User Impact
Department statistics show interesting numbers. The Panchamitra WhatsApp chatbot witnessed 1.21 lakh users till December 24, 2025. A total of 12,771 grievances were registered across all 31 districts.
"With the resolution of 12,708 grievances, we achieved 99.50%," sources from the department confirmed. This high resolution rate indicates substantial system activity.
Bheemanagouda Paragond, an RTI activist from Athani, shared positive observations. He noted the helpline prevents rural people from wandering to taluk offices and gram panchayats. "Moreover, it is also educating rural people to use online platforms to resolve issues in their surroundings," he observed.
Concerns Over Grievance Resolution
Despite official claims, some users report different experiences. Allegations suggest grievances are being closed without actual resolution. This raises concerns over the system's effectiveness in practice.
Satish Javaregowda, a writer, shared his specific case. He registered a grievance on October 31. The request sought a subsidy for a toilet constructed by MJ Timmegowda, a senior citizen in Mangala village, Mandya taluk.
"This senior citizen is waiting for a subsidy for over 1 year and wandering to the gram panchayat often," Javaregowda explained. "Seeing his plight, we raised a grievance and even sent 2 reminders later. No reply is received till today."
He cited another example from his village. Youth raised a grievance over a defunct drinking water unit. They also did not receive a reply even after months of waiting.
The Panchamitra initiative represents a significant digital step for rural Karnataka. While officials celebrate high resolution rates, ground reports indicate mixed user experiences. The chatbot's evolution will likely depend on addressing these practical concerns.
