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Politics
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Calls UPI Fee ‘Pickpocketing’ and Demands Rollback
✍️ India Today
🗓 18 Sep 2026, 05:47 AM
👁 9
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticised the central government's decision to levy a fee on UPI transactions, labeling it as pickpocketing citizens and urging an immediate reversal.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of Karnataka publicly condemned the Union government's recent move to introduce a transaction fee on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), describing it as an act of pickpocketing ordinary citizens.
The fee, announced by the Ministry of Finance, is intended to offset operational costs but has drawn sharp criticism from state leaders who argue it will burden low‑income users and undermine the digital payments ecosystem that has driven financial inclusion.
Shivakumar said the decision contradicts the government's pledge to keep digital transactions free and called for an immediate rollback, urging the Centre to consult states before implementing such measures.
He warned that imposing fees could slow down the rapid growth of UPI usage across India, potentially affecting small merchants and daily‑wage earners who rely on the platform for quick, cost‑free payments.
The fee, announced by the Ministry of Finance, is intended to offset operational costs but has drawn sharp criticism from state leaders who argue it will burden low‑income users and undermine the digital payments ecosystem that has driven financial inclusion.
Shivakumar said the decision contradicts the government's pledge to keep digital transactions free and called for an immediate rollback, urging the Centre to consult states before implementing such measures.
He warned that imposing fees could slow down the rapid growth of UPI usage across India, potentially affecting small merchants and daily‑wage earners who rely on the platform for quick, cost‑free payments.