Traders in Ulhasnagar and Ambernath have begun removing UPI payment boards and QR codes from their shops in protest against discussions about imposing an additional charge on UPI transactions, according to a report by Loksatta – Thane. The move, reported on Thursday during the Ganesh festival shopping period, could force customers who depend on mobile payments to carry cash for purchases.
The reported protest comes as markets in both cities experience heavy customer traffic for festival shopping. Over the past few years, UPI payments have become common across local retail, from small grocery shops to larger showrooms. Customers can complete transactions using only a mobile phone, without carrying a wallet or cash.
The traders’ objection is centred on the possibility that an additional charge could increase their operating burden. According to the report, traders said they already pay taxes on the sale and purchase of goods through the Goods and Services Tax system. They argued that placing another cost on UPI transactions would affect businesses at a time when digital payments have become a routine part of retail trade.
The report said some shopkeepers had started discontinuing UPI payment facilities, resulting in inconvenience for customers who arrived without sufficient cash. The immediate impact is most visible in smaller, frequent-value transactions, where buyers may expect to scan a QR code rather than visit an ATM or carry physical currency.
Traders also expressed concern that any additional cost imposed on businesses could eventually be passed on to consumers. That could make digital payments less attractive for both sides of a transaction and affect the way local markets handle routine purchases. However, the supplied report describes the UPI charge as a matter under discussion and does not cite a government notification confirming that such a charge has been introduced.
The dispute highlights the dependence of neighbourhood commerce on digital payment infrastructure. UPI has moved beyond large organised retailers and is now embedded in the daily functioning of local markets, where payment convenience can influence how quickly transactions are completed. Removing QR codes therefore affects not only merchants but also customers who have adapted their shopping habits around mobile payments.
For now, the reported action remains concentrated among traders in Ulhasnagar and Ambernath. The next development will depend on whether the concerns over UPI charges result in an official clarification or whether participating shops restore the payment facility.
