Spasht.
UPI merchant fee row

Traders in Madhya Pradesh cover QR codes in 'No UPI Day' protest against the fee

23 Sept 2026 · 2 outlets · 1 min read

AI illustration
In 30 seconds
  1. Shops in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and other cities covered their UPI QR codes.
  2. Traders said they support UPI but not the new fee on payments above ₹2,000.
  3. Some warned they could stop accepting digital payments if the fee was not withdrawn.

Traders in several Madhya Pradesh cities, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior, observed a 'No UPI Day' on 23 September 2026, covering QR codes and payment soundboxes with black cloth and asking customers to pay cash. The protest was called by the Ahilya Chamber of Commerce and Industry; CAIT's Bhopal unit held a symbolic protest. Traders said they back UPI but oppose the added cost, and some threatened to switch fully to cash after 15 October if the fee stayed.

What it means for India

Shoppers in these cities were asked to pay cash for the day, a preview of what traders say could happen more widely if the fee goes ahead.

Checked

Claim by claim

?Unverified

Members in Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ratlam, Neemuch, Mandsaur and Jaora took part.

Said by Ramesh Khandelwal, Ahilya Chamber of Commerce and Industry

This is the organiser's claim reported by CNBC-TV18. The Hindu confirms protests in Bhopal and Indore; turnout in each city was not independently counted.

CNBC-TV18
✓Verified

'We are not against UPI. Our opposition is directed at the additional cost of the MDR.'

Said by Dharmendra Sharma, CAIT Bhopal

CNBC-TV18 quotes this as the stated aim of the protest.

CNBC-TV18
In their own words

What each side says

Traders

Akshay Jain of the Ahilya Chamber of Commerce told ANI that traders had moved 85% of their business to digital payments over 10 years and the government 'should not break the system that was created with our support'. Others said the fee would add to costs and inflation.

The Hindu
Government

The finance ministry has said customers will not be charged any additional amount, and that no fee applies to UPI payments up to ₹2,000.

CNBC-TV18
Honest gaps

Not yet known

  • ?How many shops took part across the state.
Who reported this

Sources

Left-leaning · 1Centre · 1

2 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.

  1. The HinduMadhya Pradesh traders, retailers observe 'No UPI Day', seek rollback of MDR charges
  2. CNBC-TV18Traders in MP observe 'No UPI Day', cover QR codes with black cloth

Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.