{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Umar Abdullah Backs Centre on UPI Fees as Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia Clash",
  "summary": "Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has supported the central government's stance on UPI transaction fees, while Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his criticism.",
  "content": "The ongoing political discourse surrounding potential charges on UPI transactions has intensified, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah coming out in support of the central government on Wednesday. He stated that maintaining and operating the vast digital payment infrastructure is an expensive endeavor, while simultaneously advising authorities to safeguard the financial interests of ordinary retail customers. He noted that the charges are not applicable to everyone, emphasizing that peer-to-peer transfers remain free and everyday users are exempt from fees as long as they stay within a specific transaction threshold.\n\n \n\nThe Cost of Maintaining Digital Infrastructure\n\nElaborating on his viewpoint, Omar Abdullah pointed out that running the payment ecosystem involves substantial expenditure and cannot be maintained without considerable resources. He observed that when services are provided entirely free of cost, people often fail to appreciate their true economic value. However, he insisted that the government must ensure ordinary citizens are not burdened by these fees. He added that levying charges on large corporations would not be problematic since these entities already generate significant profits through the UPI network.\n\n \n\nPolitical Friction and Opposition Allegations\n\nThe debate has sparked sharp political reactions, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently alleging that Prime Narendra Modi should stand tall instead of yielding to US President Donald Trump, demanding an immediate rollback of the policy. In a swift counter-offensive, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia dismissed the criticism, stating that Rahul Gandhi seems obsessed with the United States and rarely engages in constructive discussions about nation-building.\n\n \n\nClarification on Merchant Charges\n\nAddressing the specifics of the policy, Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that the fees will strictly apply to select commercial entities rather than common citizens. Specifically, the MDR charges will affect merchants whose monthly UPI transaction volume exceeds one lakh rupees, a group that represents a mere four percent of the total merchant population. Meanwhile, the controversy has expanded further as the matter has now reached the Supreme Court for judicial scrutiny.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe discussions surrounding UPI transaction fees carry practical implications for everyday users, small retailers, and large merchants across the country.\n\n• Across India: Peer-to-peer money transfers and everyday retail transactions below the specified limit will remain completely free for ordinary citizens. However, large merchants with high monthly transaction volumes will need to navigate the new fee structure.\n\n• Financial Impact: Businesses with monthly UPI transactions exceeding one lakh rupees will be subject to applicable merchant discount rates, affecting high-volume commercial operations.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe intense debate over UPI charges stems from the massive financial requirements of running digital infrastructure and subsequent political friction.\n\n• Infrastructure Costs: Maintaining a secure and high-capacity digital payment network requires continuous investment, server maintenance, and advanced technology.\n\n• Commercial Accountability: Policymakers and leaders have debated whether high-turnover businesses and major tech platforms should shoulder the financial upkeep of the system.\n\n• Political Dynamics: Opposition criticisms regarding international pressures prompted cabinet ministers to publicly clarify the targeted scope of the proposed merchant charges.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which political leader recently supported the central government on the UPI fee issue?\nJammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah supported the central government regarding the transaction fee matter.\n\n2. Why did Omar Abdullah state that UPI infrastructure requires funding?\nHe explained that operating and maintaining the digital payment infrastructure is an expensive task that incurs significant costs.\n\n3. Who is exempt from paying these UPI charges?\nPeer-to-peer transfers and ordinary customers transacting below a specified limit will not face any charges.\n\n4. What allegation did Rahul Gandhi make against the government?\nRahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stand up to US President Donald Trump and roll back the decision.\n\n5. How did Jyotiraditya Scindia respond to Rahul Gandhi?\nJyotiraditya Scindia stated that Rahul Gandhi sees an American shadow everywhere and never talks about nation-building.\n\n6. Which merchants will be subject to the new UPI charges?\nThe charges will apply only to merchants whose monthly UPI transaction total exceeds one lakh rupees.\n\n7. What percentage of total merchants are affected by this rule?\nThe affected merchants account for a mere four percent of the total merchant population.\n\n8. Has this matter reached any legal forum?\nYes, the dispute surrounding the UPI charges has now reached the Supreme Court.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/jammu-kashmir/upi-shulka-para-umar-abdullah-ne-kiya-kendra-ka-samarthana-rahul-gandhi-aura-jyotiraditya-scindia-ke-bicha-chhiri-tikhi-bahasa-32775",
  "category": "Jammu & Kashmir",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-16",
  "tags": [
    "Omar Abdullah",
    "UPI charges",
    "Jyotiraditya Scindia",
    "Rahul Gandhi",
    "digital payments",
    "fintech"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}