Government challenges Rahul Gandhi on UPI charges stance

A senior government functionary has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent opposition to UPI transaction charges, citing support for the measure from senior Congress MPs within parliamentary discussions. The official pointed to backing from former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and former Union Minister Manish Tewari, both Congress members, who reportedly endorsed the charges when the matter was deliberated in the relevant parliamentary panel.

The challenge underscores a divergence within the Congress party on the contentious issue of digital payment charges. While Gandhi has publicly criticized the government's push for transaction fees on UPI payments, the official's remarks suggest that party members with significant economic expertise have taken a different stance during internal parliamentary proceedings.

The UPI charge proposal has emerged as a point of political friction, with critics arguing that levying fees could discourage digital adoption among India's vast population of digital payment users. However, proponents contend that reasonable charges are necessary to ensure the sustainability of digital payment infrastructure.

The government functionary's statement appears designed to highlight internal inconsistencies within the opposition party on the matter. Congress party officials have not immediately responded to the criticism regarding the position taken by its senior members in the parliamentary panel.