Thiruvananthapuram: 'mKeralam', the mobile app of the state government, is yet to impress the users despite couple of updations done. The authorities are now planning to add more services and give more publicity to the app.
Scores of users still continue to point out serious flaws in the app. Moreover, the app is yet to be made available on Apple's app store and hence iPhone users are not able to use it.
Launched in February, the app has been so far installed by about 65,000 users. However, the number active users are only around 12,000 to 15,000, it is reliably learnt.
The Kerala State IT Mission (KSITM) maintains the app. Considering the initial adverse user feedback, it was updated couple of times. Even then many users have commented that the app was still not user-friendly. Most of the complaints pertained to the Kerala Water Authority's payment system and facility to add customers. The app's rating in Google Play store is only 2.9 out of five, despite launching updated versions.
Gokul G, a user, commented: "Users please don't use this app many have lost money. After submitting the application and fee the app misbehaves and proper results are not obtained."
Another user Johnson George commented : "Great idea, but needs lots of improvement, could not even complete one time registration. Can't select taluk or village for one time registration."
"The huge feedback to the app, though most negative, indicates the urge among the people to have such a single window app for all government services. Hence the app needs to be made a user-friendly one," said a government official.
The app offers about 100 services of 17 government departments. All services under the e-District portal are also offered though the app. More services like train ticket booking facility and some other utility services are also likely to be introduced in the app soon.
The initial criticism against the app was mainly with regard to difficulty in one time registrations and complex password pattern. These were simplified considering the adverse feedback.
