Bill Gates reviews AP govt’s RTGS services, praises usage of tech in health, agricultural sectors

Amaravati: Real Time Governance Society of Andhra Pradesh Government won the appreciation from Gates Foundation chairman Bill Gates. The Global Technology giant visited the RTGS centre at the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat here on Monday.

Civic services

During the hour-long stay at the RTGS centre, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu gave a detailed presentation on the functioning of RTGS in rendering civic services by using data lake, AWARE 2.0, WhatsApp governance, Sanjeevani health project and Amaravati capital development.

Bill Gates evinced keen interest and asked the Chief Minister for details on some subjects.

Blockchain tech

When the Chief Minister explained the process of collecting public satisfaction levels on government services through RTGS, Bill Gates appreciated the system and asked for the steps being taken to protect the land records of people.

The Chief Minister said that the government is using blockchain technology and QR codes to prevent tampering of land records.

Sanjeevani

Bill Gates also enquired about the implementation of the Sanjeevani health project being implemented in the Kuppam constituency with the support of the Gates Foundation.

When CM Naidu said that the State government is maintaining health records of all people using AI, Bill Gates appreciated the efforts of the Chief Minister and opined that diagnostic services should be made available for the poor at a low price.

Bill Gates also enquired about the Amaravati capital development, for which the Chief Minister said that Amaravati will be developed as a green and blue city.

In a separate meeting with ministers and officials with Bill Gates, the Chief Minister said that the visit of Gates Foundation chairman Bill Gates to Andhra Pradesh will pave the way for further digital revolution.

Swarnandhra Vision 2047

Recollecting his (CM) first meeting with Bill Gates during 1997 as Chief Minister of the combined Andhra Pradesh and convincing him (Bill Gates) to set up Microsoft in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said that from that time IT sector witnessed rapid growth in Hyderabad.

He said that Andhra Pradesh has abundant natural resources and the State government is now focusing on wealth creation. He said the Swarnandhra vision 2047 will become a reality with the cooperation of the Gates Foundation.

During interaction with ministers and officials, Bill Gates, appreciating the vision of CM Naidu, said that the Chief Minister is ahead in thinking amongst global leaders.

Tech in agriculture

He said India is ahead in the digital revolution and both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister are playing a key role in the digital revolution. He said that the Gates Foundation gives priority for health sector and takes up the majority of health projects. He stressed the need for rendering health services to all. He appreciated the Sanjeevani health project being implemented with the Gates Foundation in Kuppam. He said AI will be more useful in bringing reforms in education sector.

He appreciated the efforts of the AP government in introducing technology in the agricultural sector for the benefit of farmers. He opined that even in developed countries, technology is not being used for the agricultural sector, whereas Andhra Pradesh is ahead in using technology in agriculture. He also praised the Disaster management services using technology to prevent loss of life and property during natural calamities.

Recollecting his association with Chandrababu Naidu, Bill Gates described Chandrababu Naidu as his good old friend. He said that when he (Bill Gates) was trying to explain the world of digital governance, Chandrababu Naidu implemented it.

Replying to a question of ministers, Bill Gates said that as Chandrababu Naidu promoted IT, the majority of IT experts came from Hyderabad and Microsoft has the majority of experts from the Telugu states.