Dibrugarh Civic Body Implements Digital ID System to Improve Property Tax Collection

Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC) launched an ambitious project on January 1, 2025, aimed at revolutionising property management and tax collection in the city. The initiative will see the installation of Permanent Property Unique Identification Number (UIN) plates across 24,000 properties in 22 wards of Dibrugarh. This development comes as part of a broader strategy to digitise civic processes, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and ease of access for property owners and municipal officials alike.

The installation of UIN plates is set to be a game-changer for Dibrugarh, simplifying property identification and streamlining the tax collection process. Each UIN plate, which will be installed on both residential and commercial properties, features a unique 9-digit identifier. This identifier will contain key details such as house ID, ward ID, road ID, property ID, and property sub ID. Embedded within the plates will also be QR codes, which will allow property owners to instantly access critical information, such as property tax, water, and sewerage tax details, directly from their smartphones. Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation initiates a digital transformation by installing unique property identification number (UIN) plates across 24,000 properties, enhancing tax collection and property management. Dibrugarh’s mayor, Saikat Patra, emphasised that this digital transformation will not only enhance the convenience for residents but also improve the efficiency of municipal administration. The QR code-enabled plates will allow municipal officials to easily verify tax payment statuses during inspections, ensuring quicker resolutions and fewer errors in property records. This system promises to reduce the manual workload on municipal staff and improve service delivery, making Dibrugarh a more efficient and tech-savvy city.

The UIN project is part of a broader effort by Dibrugarh to modernise its infrastructure and governance, especially after the city’s elevation to Municipal Corporation status on March 6, 2024. The transition from a Municipal Board to a Municipal Corporation made Dibrugarh the second urban body in Assam, after Guwahati, to achieve this status. This upgrade is seen as a crucial step in the city’s growth, and the UIN initiative marks a significant milestone in its urban development journey. The move also aligns with Assam’s broader goals of digitalising civic processes across the state. With the launch of the UIN system, Dibrugarh is setting an example of how smaller cities can embrace technology to tackle long-standing challenges such as tax evasion and inefficient property management. The project is expected to be completed within six months, covering a total of 24,278 homes and business establishments.

This digital initiative also holds immense potential for empowering citizens by enabling them to manage their property records and tax details digitally. In turn, the system promotes greater transparency, making it easier for residents to comply with their civic duties and for the local authorities to track payments. The QR code system offers real-time access to vital information, cutting down on time-consuming paperwork and administrative bottlenecks. Reflecting on this ambitious digital leap, Mayor Patra shared, “By embracing technology, we are not only improving efficiency but also ensuring that the civic duties of the people are simplified. Our goal is to create a more accessible and transparent system that benefits both the administration and the citizens.” Dibrugarh’s transition to a Municipal Corporation and the launch of the UIN initiative highlight the city’s commitment to embracing modernisation while maintaining its rich historical legacy. Established in 1873, Dibrugarh is one of Assam’s oldest municipal bodies, and its journey towards modern governance continues with initiatives like the UIN system that bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. With the implementation of the UIN system, Dibrugarh is poised to enhance the quality of life for its residents, providing a model for other cities in Assam and across India to follow.