In a significant move towards urban governance reform, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is gearing up to launch a comprehensive new Property Tax Management System (PTMS). This initiative, directed by the state government, aims to overhaul how property tax is assessed, collected, and monitored for every house, shop, and commercial establishment in the city.
A Digital Overhaul for Property Tax
The new PTMS will replace the existing software currently used by the LMC. It is designed to maintain a complete digital record of all residential and non-residential properties within the municipal limits. A key feature of this system is its integration with the Smart City Command and Control Centre, which will provide municipal and state government officials with real-time access to property tax data. This move is part of broader reforms being undertaken by the state's urban development department.
Unique 16-Digit ID and Smart Number Plates
As a cornerstone of the new framework, every property in Lucknow will be assigned a unique 16-digit identification number. A physical number plate containing this ID and embedded with a chip storing property-specific data will be installed outside each house and establishment. Officials can quickly retrieve comprehensive details by simply entering this ID. Installation work for these smart plates has already commenced in several parts of the city.
GIS Mapping and Enhanced Transparency
Another pivotal component of PTMS is the GIS-based mapping of all taxable properties. Houses and commercial entities will be uploaded onto platforms like Google Maps. This will allow taxpayers to easily view their property's location and access complete tax-related details online, fostering greater transparency. A similar GIS-based survey was proposed around four years ago but remained incomplete. The state government now aims to finalize the exercise through PTMS, thereby strengthening compliance and closing gaps in the tax net.
LMC officials revealed that the PTMS has been developed following the model of the Public Financial Management System (PFMS). It will provide property-wise breakdowns of tax demand, actual collection, and pending arrears. A state-level portal for the system has already been created, and a recent high-level meeting chaired by senior officials reviewed its implementation plan for Lucknow. The official rollout is expected to commence shortly.
