Congress stages protest in Shivamogga over charges on UPI payments

The Shivamogga District Congress Committee (DCC) staged a protest here on Friday, condemning the Union government’s recent decision to impose a merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI payments exceeding ₹2,000.

Led by DCC president H.C. Yogesh, party workers took out a protest march from the party office to Mahaveer Circle, raising slogans against the Centre for introducing charges on UPI transactions. They also formed a human chain at the circle, disrupting traffic movement.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Yogesh said the government was penalising the public by introducing the charges, adding that the Prime Minister and the Union government had, over the years, claimed credit for popularising digital payments.

DCC Women’s wing president Shweta Bandi, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary N. Ramesh, and others led the protest.