UPI MDR framework: BJP cites Congress MPs as Rahul Gandhi seeks rollback
The BJP is questioning Rahul Gandhi's opposition to a new UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework, noting that Congress MPs on a parliamentary committee previously supported the proposal. The committee argued that a tiered revenue model is necessary to sustain the UPI ecosystem's operational costs and infrastructure.
Why it matters
It highlights political friction regarding the financial sustainability and regulatory future of India's massive digital payment infrastructure.
As Rahul Gandhi steps up his opposition to the Centre’s new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI transactions, BJP sources have questioned why the Congress leader is opposing a revenue model that was recommended by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance whose members included five Congress MPs.The five Congress MPs -- former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Manish Tewari, Gaurav Gogoi, Kishori Lal and K Gopinath -- were part of the committee and were present on August 12 when the report was adopted, with no dissent recorded in the published minutes, according to the sources.“Why is Rahul Gandhi opposing something his own MPs, including former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and former UPA Minister Manish Tewari, supported within Parliament?” BJP sources asked.The committee had pressed for a tiered MDRrevenue framework for UPI and said it should be notified and operationalised without delay.In its report, accessed by India Today, the committee noted…
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