Indore Traders Plan 'No UPI Day' to Protest Proposed Merchant Charges

Indore's traders are planning a 'No UPI Day' on September 23 to protest the proposed imposition of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments above certain limits. Over 100 trader organisations will participate in the boycott, covering QR code scanners with black cloth and refusing UPI transactions for the day.

Ahilya Chamber of Commerce, representing 125 trader organisations, spearheaded the call. President Ramesh Khandelwal termed the move anti-digital and harmful to ease of doing business, arguing traders already operate on thin margins and additional charges would worsen business conditions.

The Indore Retail Garments Association has launched a campaign using posters, call centres, and social media to mobilise traders and consumers. Organisers stressed the protest targets proposed merchant charges, not UPI itself, citing concerns that additional fees on high-value transactions would increase operational costs.