India, Sept. 20 -- A new charge on Bengaluru's property tax bills has caught homeowners' attention, sparking a debate over whether they should pay separately for the technology that enables them to pay their civic dues online.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has started levying an annual 'software charge' of Rs.200 on residential properties and Rs.1,000 on commercial properties, according to media reports. The charge is being collected alongside the annual property tax by the five city corporations under the GBA.

Deccan Herald newspaper reported that the new component to the tax demand comes in the middle of the financial year and without an official announcement.

The levy has drawn criticism from taxpayers, who questioned the ra...