In an effort to streamline property-tax collection in the state, the Punjab government’s local bodies department has given its go-ahead to install cash-deposit machines to recover dues. If the proposal is implemented, it would come as a massive relief for property owners in the state who have to stand in serpentine queues to submit this annual charge.

The machines, which are akin to automatic tellar machines (ATMs), will be installed in Sewa Kendras across the state. The government also plans to use the machine to collect water and sewage dues.

For this purpose, the government plans to rope in a private bank to set up five such machines. Although the government is yet to zero in on the city from where the pilot project will begin, a committee has been formed to work out the modalities. Earlier, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation had tied up with a private bank to accept property tax, but the plan did not generate a good response.