New Delhi, 15 September (H.S.): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that the existing ‘No Fee on UPI’ system is being prepared for a change, under which UPI transactions up to Rs. 2,000 would remain free while charges could be imposed on transactions above that amount. He sought clarification from the government on reports suggesting a possible charge of Rs. 25 on a Rs. 5,000 transaction and Rs. 50 on a Rs. 10,000 transaction.

In a post on X, Kharge said inflation had already left the common man with little money in his pocket. He said wholesale inflation was around 10 per cent and that imposing charges on UPI transactions at such a time would place an additional burden on people’s savings. Referring to demonetisation, he said the economy had been jolted by the exercise nearly 10 years ago. When questions were raised about its consequences, the government had described it as a step towards promoting digital payments and a cashless economy.

Kharge said the Finance Minister had recently stated in Parliament that no tax or charges would be imposed on UPI. Despite this, citing certain media reports, he questioned whether the reports of a possible charge of Rs. 25 on transactions of Rs. 5,000 and up to Rs. 50 on transactions of Rs. 10,000 were accurate.

Referring to the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), Kharge said any additional burden imposed on merchants could ultimately be passed on to ordinary consumers through higher prices of goods and services. He alleged that instead of providing relief to people already struggling with inflation, the government was looking for new ways to impose an additional burden on their pockets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar