States » WestPosted at: Sep 24 2026 6:02PM


Traders’ bodies to observe Oct 2 as ‘No UPI Day’ to protest against MDR

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) has called for October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) to be observed as ‘No UPI Day’, to protest against the 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions above Rs 2,000, from October 15, MACCIA President Ravindra Mangave stated here on Thursday.
Various traders’ organisations across the country have also decided to protest on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) by following the path adopted by Mahatma Gandhi and covering UPI scanners, QR codes, sound boxes and other related devices with black cloth as a mark of protest.
“We have spoken to all traders’ associations in India and have decided to observe October 2 as ‘No UPI Day’, not only in Maharashtra but in other states as well,” MACCIA President Ravindra Mangave said, adding that MACCIA and its 500 affiliate traders’ associations plan to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and place their demands before him.
“The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA), All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation (AIJGF) and Akhil Bharatiya Khadya Tel Vyapari Mahasangh (khil Bharatiya Khadyatel Vyapari Mahasangh (All India Edible Oil Traders Federation or AIEOTF) are some of the important trade associations which have agreed to observe ‘No UPI Day’ on October 2,” MACCIA President Ravindra Mangave said.

Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is a fee paid by merchants for accepting digital payments. Peer-to-peer (P2P) UPI transactions do not attract any fee. However, peer-to-merchants (P2M) UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 attract a 0.40 per cent fee, which is capped at Rs 300.

Payments to small vendors, classified as person-to-person-merchant (P2PM) transactions, will also remain free of any MDR. Peer-to-merchants (P2M) covers small vendors receiving up to Rs 1 lakh a month through UPI, a category which is known to particularly benefit businesses in rural and semi-urban areas.

In August alone, UPI processed 15.51 billion P2M transactions, worth a combined Rs 8.95 trillion. Payments above Rs 2,000 made up about 67 per cent of that value, according to available data.
Meanwhile, All India Consumer Products Distributors ’ Federation (AICPDF) National President Dhairyashil Patil, said, “Why should traders alone bear the additional cost of digital payments? Retailers and distributors operate on very thin margins and already contribute significantly to the growth of digital commerce. Imposing MDR on UPI transactions will only add another cost to their business. Digital payments should reduce friction, not penalise traders”.

All India Edible Oil Traders ’ Federation (AIEOTF) National President Shankar Thakkar said that there is strong opposition among traders across the country against the government’s proposed order to impose a 0.4 per cent MDR charge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15.

“If the government does not take an appropriate decision on this issue, a strategy to escalate the agitation will be decided in the coming days, and the protest will be intensified further,” Thakkar said. UNI BA SAS
Tags: #Traders’ bodies to observe Oct 2 as ‘No UPI Day’ to protest against MDR
More News

Railway attendant held with Goa-made liquor worth Rs 71,560 at Thane station

24 Sep 2026 | 6:55 PM

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) The State Excise Department has arrested a railway attendant for allegedly transporting Goa-manufactured liquor illegally into Maharashtra and seized 61 bottles of foreign liquor worth around Rs 71,560 from him at Thane Railway Station, officials said on Thursday.

see more..

Fadnavis assures aid for drought-hit farmers before Diwali

24 Sep 2026 | 6:50 PM

Amravati, Sep 24 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured farmers affected by scanty rainfall that the state government would provide financial assistance before Diwali without waiting for Central aid.

see more..

Maha: Tourist bus catches fire on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, 14 passengers safe

24 Sep 2026 | 6:37 PM

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) A double-decker tourist bus caught fire on the Pune-bound side of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khalapur Toll Plaza today morning, but all 14 passengers escaped safely, officials said.

see more..

Traders’ bodies to observe October 2 as ‘No UPI Day’ to protest against MDR

24 Sep 2026 | 6:11 PM

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) has called for observing October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) as ‘No UPI Day’ to protest the proposed 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions above Rs 2,000, which is set to take effect from October 15, MACCIA President Ravindra Mangave said here on Thursday.

see more..

FDA seizes adulterated food stock worth Rs 9 76 crore in Maharashtra festival drive

24 Sep 2026 | 6:03 PM

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized suspected adulterated food stock weighing 6.34 lakh kg and valued at around Rs 9.76 crore during a special statewide festival enforcement drive.

see more..