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The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has introduced a doorstep property tax collection service to make payments easier for residents and improve recovery of pending dues. Under the system, civic teams equipped with handheld POS machines will visit residential and commercial properties to assess and collect tax on the spot. The corporation has deployed 48 machines across four municipal zones and allows payments through cash, cards, UPI, bank drafts, and digital transfers with instant receipts. Officials said the move is aimed at recovering pending payments and helping the civic body reach its annual property tax target of INR 160 crore.
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has introduced a doorstep property tax collection service aimed at improving tax recovery and making the payment process more convenient for residents. Under the initiative, municipal teams equipped with handheld point-of-sale (POS) machines will visit residential and commercial properties across the city to assess and collect property tax directly from property owners. Advertisement
The system allows officials to calculate property tax during the visit itself. Using the POS device, staff can enter property details such as built-up area, type of construction and usage, and the machine generates the tax amount instantly. Residents can clear their dues immediately without visiting a municipal office, and a receipt is issued on the spot.
To implement the programme, the civic body has procured 48 handheld POS machines. These machines have been distributed equally across the city's four municipal zones, with 12 units assigned to each zone. Officials said this deployment will allow tax collection teams to cover a larger number of properties and conduct field visits in different parts of the city simultaneously.
Municipal authorities stated that Ludhiana is the first city in Punjab to introduce such a doorstep property tax collection system using digital machines. The initiative reflects a shift towards bringing civic services closer to residents and improving compliance among property owners who have pending tax dues.
The POS machines are connected to the municipal corporation's central database and dashboard, allowing officials to verify property records and update payment details in real time. This system also reduces the chances of calculation errors and ensures transparency in tax assessment and collection.
Residents are being given multiple payment options under the programme. Property tax can be paid through cash, debit or credit cards, UPI, digital transfers or bank drafts. After payment, residents receive either a printed receipt from the POS machine or a digital receipt confirming the transaction.
Another feature of the system is that it allows on-site verification of property tax records. During the visit, municipal staff can check whether previous tax assessments were calculated correctly and whether any outstanding dues remain unpaid. If discrepancies are found, they can be addressed immediately during the visit.
The initiative is part of the civic body's efforts to improve revenue collection from property tax, which is one of the main sources of income for the municipal corporation. According to officials, around INR 142 crore has been collected so far, while the corporation has set an annual property tax collection target of INR 160 crore. The remaining INR 18 crore is largely pending from property owners who have not yet cleared their dues.
Municipal officials believe the doorstep service will help recover these pending payments by reaching taxpayers directly and simplifying the payment process. The civic body has also instructed staff to identify long-pending defaulters during the visits and encourage them to clear their outstanding amounts.
Property tax in Ludhiana is calculated based on several factors, including the size of the property, type of construction, land value, and whether the building is used for residential, commercial or mixed purposes. These factors are used to determine the annual rental value of the property, which forms the basis for calculating the tax amount.
The civic administration has also been gradually introducing technology-based systems to strengthen property tax administration in the city. In previous initiatives, the corporation introduced online property tax payment facilities and unique identification plates for properties to improve property records and reduce tax evasion.
Along with the doorstep collection system, municipal officials have continued to encourage residents to clear their property tax dues before March 31, which is the deadline for payment for the financial year 2025-26. Property owners who fail to pay their dues before the deadline may face penalties and interest on the outstanding amount.
Civic officials said that staff members operating the POS machines have been given training to conduct assessments and process payments efficiently during field visits. Teams will continue visiting different areas of the city over the coming weeks as part of the tax recovery drive.
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