UPI
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the leaders cited the new 0.4% merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, scheduled to take effect from Oct 15. The party said UPI had become a critical component of India’s digital payments ecosystem, processing 24,162 crore transactions worth around Rs 314 lakh crore in 2025-26, according to govt data. Earlier reporting noted: Rai said the govt had repeatedly promised UPI would stay free, but had now introduced a charge on merchant transactions above Rs 2,000.
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Congress on Wednesday accused the BJP-led Centre of “betraying” people by introducing charges on high-value UPI merchant transactions, with party leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Amit Chavda and Tushar Chaudhary alleging that the move would ultimately increase burden on consumers. Congress alleged that the move marked a “digital U-turn” and would undermine govt’s earlier push for a cashless economy. Earlier reporting noted: “The govt may say that the customer will not pay it, but the question is: from whose pocket will the trader recover this cost?” he said.
It also claimed that the additional cost borne by merchants would eventually be passed on to customers. Congress leaders also questioned Centre’s decision and alleged that the new framework could lead to wider charges on UPI transactions. Earlier reporting noted: ‘UPI promised free’: UP Cong chief questions who will bear new MDR cost Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Wednesday opposed the new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions, alleging it would ultimately raise costs for consumers as traders pass on the added expense.