The Punjab cabinet has approved a major revision in administrative charges. It includes a significant rise in the domicile fee along with a shift toward digital services.
Officials confirmed that the domicile fee has increased by 175 percent. The total cost has now been raised from Rs200 to Rs550.
Under the new structure, Rs200 is set as the base fee. An additional Rs300 is charged for affidavit processing. A further Rs50 is included as a service charge.
Authorities explained that most of the domicile fee will go to the government treasury. Around Rs500 will be deposited into official accounts. The remaining Rs50 will be allocated to the Punjab Information Technology Board.
The government has also introduced a fully digital system. Citizens can now apply for domicile certificates online. Payments can be made through the e-Pay Punjab system.
Once processed, certificates will be delivered directly to homes. Courier services will handle final delivery for added convenience.
Officials said the new system will reduce delays significantly. The updated platform will process applications in just 2 to 3 days.
An automated verification system has also been introduced. It will help manage records and improve data accuracy.
Additional charges have been included in the revised structure. These include Rs60 for courier delivery and Rs40 for security paper. Another Rs50 is charged for system maintenance, SMS alerts, and data hosting.
Authorities noted that the domicile fee structure also reflects rising digital infrastructure costs. The Punjab Information Technology Board estimates the average processing cost at Rs27.55 per application.
They further stated that annual maintenance of the system requires millions in funding. This is necessary to keep digital services stable and secure.
Officials believe the new system will improve transparency. It is also expected to reduce manual workload and human error.
The revised domicile fee and digital platform are part of broader reforms. These reforms aim to modernize public service delivery in Punjab.
Citizens are encouraged to use the online system for faster processing. The government says the transition will make services more efficient and accessible for everyone.
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