Kerala traders' forum calls for statewide UPI boycott on October 15
Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi will boycott UPI transactions statewide on October 15 against the Centre's reported plan to impose charges on digital payments.
Traders in Kerala will stay away from UPI transactions on October 15, with the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi announcing a statewide boycott to protest a reported move by the Central government to levy charges on such payments.
State president Raju Apsara said the decision was taken in response to indications that a 0.4% fee along with GST could be applied to UPI transactions. He argued that such a levy would place an added financial burden on small traders who had shifted to digital payments at the Centre's urging.
According to Mr. Apsara, thin profit margins and stiff competition in the retail trade mean that even a small charge on each transaction would push up operating costs and deepen the difficulties faced by the sector. He called on the government to withdraw the proposed levy.
He also accused the Centre of departing from its earlier position that UPI transactions would remain free of charges. The forum said it would mobilise small traders across the State for sustained protests against the move.
The boycott is planned for a single day, with the traders' body seeking to demonstrate the scale of opposition among small businesses to any fee on digital payments.