Madhya Pradesh traders protest ‘No UPI Day’ over proposed MDR on high-value UPI payments

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Traders across Indore observed 'No UPI Day' on Wednesday to protest the proposed 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain UPI merchant transactions above Rs 2,000. Shopkeepers covered QR codes with black cloth and asked customers to pay in cash, with the protest particularly visible around Rajwada.Traders warned of a stronger protest if the MDR framework, scheduled to take effect from Oct 15, is not withdrawn, including symbolically "immersing UPI QR codes" in water bodies.Ahilya Chamber of Commerce President Ramesh Khandelwal claimed traders associated with the campaign in Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ratlam, Neemuch, Mandsaur and Jaora participated in the protest. He said nearly 125 business organisations took part in Indore.Khandelwal, who represents Madhya Pradesh on the National Traders Welfare Board, questioned the additional burden on traders. "Traders are not against the government, but their question is, if the money collected from MDR is not going to the government treasury, why is this additional burden being placed on traders?" he said.Indore Retail Garments Association President Akshay Jain also demanded withdrawal of the proposed MDR, saying additional charges could hurt traders and consumers.Under the new framework, a 0.4% MDR will apply to specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from Oct 15. Person-to-person payments remain exempt and customers will not be directly charged the MDR.Kailash Vijayvargiya Sandhya Yadav Controversy: Minister Expresses Regret Over 'Body Shaming' Remark On Indore Councillor, Accuses Congress Of Twisting Context

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The 'No UPI Day' call failed to find uniform support among traders in the city on Wednesday, with many shops and business establishments continuing to accept UPI payments. Some even accepted digital payments despite covering their QR codes and sound boxes with black cloth and displaying notices saying that UPI payments would not be accepted. However, some traders did follow the call.Akhil Bhartiya Udhyog Vyapar Mandal, Madhya Pradesh, had given a call to shopkeepers and business establishments to observe Wednesday as 'No UPI Day' to protest the decision of the Government of India to impose an MDR -Merchant Discount Rate- of 0.4% on Person-to-Merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 through UPI from Oct 15.At Hind Opticians, Peer Gate, owner Lalchand said they were accepting UPI payments. Why should we incur losses? We will see what has to be done after October 15, he said, adding that in any case, most of our spectacles are priced lower than Rs 2,000. Dinesh Agrawal, who runs a jewellery shop in Chowk Bazar, told Free Press that these days people don't come to markets carrying cash. So, refusing UPI payments would mean turning the customer back. We can't afford to do it, he said, adding that they were not only accepting UPI payments but would continue to do so after October 15 also. Jay Agarwal, owner of Agrawal jewellery shop in Chowk, said that they won't insist on cash payments until October 14. Maybe, the government would roll back its decision, he said. Bahurani Lehnga Creation at Chowk was also accepting UPI payments. We have no option. We can't say no to the buyers, the owner of the shop said.Satish Gangrade of Laxmi Garments, New Market, said there is no alternative. Those opposing the cess were mainly owners of big showrooms who sell goods worth several lakh a day, he added. Swaraj Agarwal of Asthlaxmi Jewellery in New Market said that they were not declining UPI payments as they have not received any communication from the New Market Sarafa Association.However, Abhishek Jain, who runs a men's wear outlet in the Old City, said that they were not accepting UPI payments. He claimed that at least 250 shops in the Chowk area were doing the same. After October 15, we won't accept UPI payment if the bill is above Rs 2,000, he said.Shashank Jain, a seller of ladies' garments in New Market, said that the 0.4% MDR on UPI was 'immoral'. The limit of Rs 2,000 is too low. Today, a can of edible oil costs more than Rs 2,000, he said, adding that in the long run the move would hurt the government. Banks will have to handle huge amounts of cash and open more ATMs. Datia Transport Inspector Found Dead In Bhopal, Man Discovered Hanging Nearby

In cities like Bhopal and Indore, QR code stickers and payment confirmation soundboxes on several shops were seen covered with a black cloth, with the traders requesting customers to pay in cash

MP No UPI Day: Traders across Madhya Pradesh observed ‘No UPI Day’ on Wednesday, refusing to accept UPI payments above ₹2,000 in protest against the proposed 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charge on digital transactions. Traders in Bhopal, Indore and other cities covered their UPI QR scanners with black cloth and held symbolic protests against the proposed charge.The protest was called by the Akhil Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal Madhya Pradesh. Trader organisations clarified that participation was voluntary and no shopkeeper would be forced to join the campaign.Traders Raise Concern Over MDR BurdenMadhya Pradesh Vyapar Mandal state general secretary Anupam Agrawal said the proposed UPI MDR charge would increase the financial burden on traders. He said a maximum charge of up to ₹300 could be imposed on eligible transactions.Agrawal claimed that if a trader receives 10 transactions above ₹2,000 in a day, the additional cost could become a major expense. He said wholesale businesses, especially grocery traders, would be affected as a large number of their daily transactions are above the threshold.Giving an example, Agrawal said he himself deals in wholesale oil trading and even a 15-litre oil jar costs around ₹2,200. He said traders would have to bear the MDR cost whenever customers make payments through UPI.Indore Traders Observe No UPI Day Campaignइंदौर में ‘नो UPI डे’, सड़क पर QR कोड रख व्यापारियों का विरोध₹2 हजार से ज्यादा के UPI मर्चेंट पेमेंट पर प्रस्तावित शुल्क का विरोध, QR कोड को काले कपड़े से ढककर जताया आक्रोश#indore #upi #protest #MadhyaPradesh #HindiNews #lalluramnews @Hemant_News_MP pic.twitter.com/RN4AxEsSFY— Lallu Ram (@lalluram_news) September 23, 2026 In Indore, over 100 trader organisations participated in the No UPI Day protest called by the Ahilya Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Traders avoided UPI payments and covered QR scanners with black cloth to oppose the proposed MDR charge on UPI transactions above ₹2,000.Ahilya Chamber president Ramesh Khandelwal said the move would increase the burden on traders operating on low margins and affect ease of doing business.The Indore Retail Garments Association conducted an awareness campaign through posters, call centres and social media to encourage participation. Association president Akshay Jain clarified that the protest was not against UPI but against additional merchant charges that could increase operational costs for retailers.Earlier, over 150 traders had participated in a protest at Regal Square under the leadership of the Tiles and Sanitary Ware Traders Association, raising slogans against UPI charges.No UPI Day In Indore As Traders Protest Proposed Merchant ChargesBhopal, Petrol Pumps Join OppositionIn Bhopal, traders covered UPI scanners with black cloth and avoided accepting payments above ₹2,000 as part of the statewide protest.The Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pump Dealers Association has also opposed the move and announced that petrol pumps across the state will not accept UPI payments above ₹2,000 from October 16. The association represents around 4,700 petrol pumps in Madhya Pradesh.The proposed rule will come into effect from October 15, under which a 0.4% MDR will apply on person-to-merchant UPI transactions above ₹2,000. For transactions of ₹75,000 and above, the charge will be capped at ₹300.Trader organisations said they support digital payments but want the government to reconsider the proposed MDR framework, claiming it could increase costs for businesses and consumers.UPI Fees: Petrol Pumps Refuse To Accept UPI Payments Above ₹2K Across Madhya Pradesh Owing To 'Thin Margins'

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Protesting the move to impose Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on accepting payments made using UPI over certain limits, over 100 different traders' organisations of the city will observe ‘No UPI Day’ on Wednesday. As per the call, they will not accept any payment via UPI and will cover their QC scanner with a black cloth. The call for ‘No UPI Day’ on September 23 is given by Ahilya Chamber of Commerce, which is an apex representative organisation of over 125 different traders' organisations of the city. Ramesh Khandelwal, the president of Ahilya Chamber, says that the move by the government of India is an anti-digital India drive and ease of doing business for traders. Already, we are doing business at very thin margins, and the levy of MDR from traders is a business climate-spoiling initiative. On the eve of the call, the city trade associations intensified their promotional campaign for the 'No UPI Day' scheduled for September 23, in protest against the proposed charges on large-value UPI merchant transactions.In support of the call made by the Ahilya Chambers of Commerce,Indore Retail Garments Association launched a campaign utilising posters, call centres, and social media on Tuesday. The campaign aims to reach one million people which is kicked off today.Akshay Jain, President of the Indore Retail Garments Association, stated that 'No UPI Day' posters are being put up in the city's markets. Traders are being contacted directly via call centres, while information about the campaign is being disseminated to both traders and general consumers through social media.He emphasised that the objective of the campaign is not to create an atmosphere against UPI itself, but to highlight traders' concerns regarding the proposed merchant charges. There are apprehensions that additional fees on high-value merchant transactions will increase operational costs for traders. Such added costs could have a significant impact, particularly in low-margin retail businesses.Give Old Books And Plastic, Get Saplings At RRR Centres In Indore