The BJP government announced a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate on person-to-merchant UPI payments above ₹2,000, effective October 15.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the decision as a Modi tax that will ultimately burden common consumers.
Essential sectors such as railways, telecom and fuel will face a flat MDR of ₹5, while small transactions up to ₹2,000 remain free.