1 hr ago
Akhilesh Yadav Attacks BJP Over Infrastructure and UPI Charges
Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.
He said some roads and bridges were damaged before construction was fully finished.
He mentioned several expressways, including the Bundelkhand and Ganga expressways.
He also questioned the quality and size of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.
Yadav said a new fee on some large UPI payments would be like a tax on digital payments.
The fee would be paid by merchants, not directly by customers.
He also said the government had not provided the jobs it promised in July, August and September.
Finally, he questioned whether the state had enough land for the government’s tree-planting claims.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of allowing Uttar Pradesh infrastructure projects to deteriorate before completion.
He cited alleged problems on the Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, Gorakhpur Link and Ganga expressways.
Yadav alleged corruption in public infrastructure projects and questioned whether profits were being distributed between Lucknow and Delhi.
He criticized the proposed 0.4% merchant discount rate on certain UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, calling it a digital-payment tax.
Yadav also questioned claims of monthly job creation and the planting of around 200 crore trees in Uttar Pradesh.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP-led governments.
- What
- Yadav alleged poor infrastructure quality, corruption, insufficient job creation and excessive charges on some UPI transactions.
- Where
- At a Samajwadi Party news conference in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- He made the remarks on Thursday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Why
- He was challenging the BJP government’s record on infrastructure, employment, environmental claims and digital-payment policy.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Criticism
Government and Policy Position
Infrastructure quality
Akhilesh Yadav’s Criticism
Yadav said expressways and bridge components were damaged, maintenance continued after inauguration, and some roads were unsafe or poorly built.
Government and Policy Position
The article does not report a direct response from the BJP or Uttar Pradesh government to these infrastructure allegations.
UPI charges
Akhilesh Yadav’s Criticism
Yadav called the proposed MDR a chungi, or tax-like toll, on people’s digital transactions.
Government and Policy Position
The government said the MDR would be shared among banks, payment service providers and UPI application providers, while consumers would not pay it directly.
Jobs and tree planting
Akhilesh Yadav’s Criticism
Yadav questioned the government’s employment record and asked where enough land could be found for the claimed tree planting.
Government and Policy Position
The article mentions the government’s tree-planting figure but does not provide a response to Yadav’s employment or land-use criticism.
Key facts
- UPI merchant discount rate
- A 0.4% MDR was announced for certain person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000.
- MDR cap
- The charge will be capped at Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,000 or more.
- Who pays the MDR
- Merchants will pay the charge; consumers will not pay it directly.
- Transactions remaining free
- Person-to-person transfers and merchant transactions up to Rs 2,000 will remain free.
- Special-sector MDR
- Railways, telecommunications, insurance, fuel and agricultural inputs will attract a flat Rs 5 MDR on transactions above Rs 2,000.
- Tree-planting claim
- Yadav questioned the government’s claim that around 200 crore trees had been planted in Uttar Pradesh over nine years.
- Employment claim
- Yadav said no jobs were provided in July or August and claimed September would also have zero recruitment.
Quotes
Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister
“The expressway was inaugurated by the country’s prime minister. Soon after the inauguration, the road started breaking. Those who have travelled on that expressway would know that the maintenance and construction work is still continuing.”
theprint.in
“Under the BJP government, the construction of a project is completed later, but it starts collapsing first”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in









