The Akhil Ekta Udyog Vyapar Mandal has urged the central government to permanently remove Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.
The organisation welcomed the decision to provide relief from the charges until 15 January. However, it said the exemption should be made permanent to prevent additional costs for traders.
Traders cite widespread UPI use
In a letter sent to the central government, the organisation said UPI has become a major payment method for millions of traders and members of the public.
The traders’ body argued that imposing MDR charges on these transactions would create an additional financial burden for merchants. It did not provide a specific estimate of the possible cost.
The letter was issued by Atul Kumar Gupta, the organisation’s national vice-president and Uttarakhand in-charge, and Santosh Singh Negi, its state president.
Relief decision welcomed
The organisation said it welcomed the current decision to provide relief until 15 January. Its demand is for the removal of UPI MDR charges on a permanent basis rather than for a limited period.
The request comes from Haldwani, where the organisation has raised the issue with the central government. No further decision or response from the government was provided in the available report.
Conclusion
The traders’ organisation wants the temporary relief on UPI MDR charges to become permanent, citing the payment system’s widespread use and the potential additional burden on merchants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are Haldwani traders demanding?
They are demanding the permanent abolition of Merchant Discount Rate charges on UPI transactions.
Q. Which organisation raised the demand?
The demand was raised by the Akhil Ekta Udyog Vyapar Mandal.
Q. What temporary relief did the organisation welcome?
The organisation welcomed a decision to provide relief from the charges until 15 January.
Q. Why does the organisation oppose MDR charges?
It says the charges would place an additional financial burden on traders.
Q. Who signed or issued the letter?
The letter was issued by national vice-president and Uttarakhand in-charge Atul Kumar Gupta and state president Santosh Singh Negi.
