2 hrs ago
Surjewala Calls UPI Fee a Betrayal of Ordinary Indians
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala criticized a new UPI charge.
The charge applies to some person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, according to the report.
He said the fee could make digital payments more expensive for ordinary people.
He also said it could weaken India’s goal of becoming more cashless.
Surjewala alleged that American companies would benefit from the money collected.
He called the government’s decision a betrayal.
He warned that the fee might later be increased or applied to more kinds of UPI payments.
The report does not include a response from the government or NPCI.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala criticized a 0.4% fee on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000.
He said the charge could increase consumers’ financial burden and undermine digital, cashless payments.
Surjewala called September 14, when the gazette notification was issued, a day of “digital somersault” and “betrayal.”
He alleged that American companies would receive a share of the claimed Rs 5,040 crore UPI transaction tax.
He warned that the government and NPCI could raise the fee or extend it to other UPI transaction categories by notification.
- Who
- Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala criticized the Modi government and the National Payments Corporation of India.
- What
- Surjewala alleged that a 0.4% fee was being imposed on person-to-merchant UPI payments above Rs 2,000.
- Where
- Surjewala spoke to reporters in Bengaluru and issued a statement.
- When
- The gazette notification was issued on September 14; Surjewala made the allegations on September 16.
- Why
- He argued that the fee would burden consumers, undermine cashless payments, and allow charges to be expanded without fresh parliamentary approval.
Key facts
- Fee cited
- 0.4% on person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000
- Gazette notification
- Issued on September 14
- Statement date
- September 16
- Location
- Bengaluru
- Claimed tax amount
- Rs 5,040 crore
- Organizations mentioned
- The Modi government and the National Payments Corporation of India
- Surjewala’s concern
- Charges could be increased or extended to other UPI transaction categories by notification
Quotes
Randeep Singh Surjewala
AICC general secretary and Congress Rajya Sabha MP
“UPI was a defining tool for a cashless, digital and inclusive India, but the Modi government is converting it into a tax imposition and collection machine targeting the common man”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
Congress Warns UPI Fees Loom After Government Notification
Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi Government Over Proposed UPI Charges
Congress Calls New UPI Merchant Fees ‘Modi Tax’
India’s UPI Fee Reversal Sparks Questions Over Earlier Denial
UPI Merchant Charges Trigger Opposition and Fintech Expert Backlash
Swadeshi Jagran Manch Opposes New UPI Merchant Fee
Bengaluru Woman Dies Allegedly After Eating A Chocolate
Sitharaman Urges Tax Foundation to Shape Policy and Public Discourse
UPI MDR Charges Back Infrastructure Upgrade, Says TV Mohandas Pai
ISCL Plans Bigger National Footprint Ahead of Season 2