Dear Ajay and members, I don't think a slight fee of 0.1% to 1.1%—or more likely between 0.3% and 0.5%—will have a massive impact. Major e-commerce brands like Amazon and Flipkart can absorb these costs themselves.
To look at a parallel, consider the "free delivery" limits on various apps (e.g., free delivery on orders above ₹99 or ₹199). These minimum thresholds are not true offers; they are strategic ways for companies to encourage higher spending, optimize logistics, and ultimately protect their margins while avoiding extra costs for consumers. I am not overly concerned about the proposed UPI charges because UPI is a foundational pillar of our digital economy, and the individual impact should be minimal. For context on why maintaining this infrastructure is complex, the quick verification process that happens when you scan a merchant QR code involves multiple security steps managed by the NPCI—including verifying bank details, checking eligibility, and cross-referencing device and phone number data. While managing these costs was easier initially, the expansion of UPI to cross-border transactions requires significantly more investment. If these fees are introduced, consumers will not be the only ones bearing the burden. Previously, the government subsidized the infrastructure costs for banks and providers, though reports indicate these subsidies only covered about 11% of the actual expenses incurred. Platforms have already introduced small conveniences, like a ₹1 platform fee for mobile recharges, to help cover operational costs, staff, and offices. However, after subtracting infrastructure expenses, the margins remain slim, which is why companies also monetize through subscriptions and merchant soundboxes. Given the surge in UPI volume, the need for sustainable revenue is clear. Furthermore, the government has only acquired the legislative power to levy these charges; they have not actually implemented them yet. Given that the total annual cost to maintain the UPI network is approximately ₹2,000 crore—a figure well within the scope of typical government scheme expenditures—it remains to be seen how they will proceed. For now, I don't think we need to worry excessively. I am certainly not suggesting we shouldn't advocate for relaxations or policy exemptions. However, I recommend researching the matter further through case studies and data. If your findings still suggest that structured advocacy is necessary, we should absolutely present a solid, well-researched case. Regards, UDIT Pandey On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 at 23:29, 'Mister Kayne' via AccessIndia < [email protected]> wrote: > Dear Vaibhav, > > > > I am writing to address your response, as it fundamentally > mischaracterizes my previous email and introduces accusations that have no > basis in what I wrote. > > > > Let me be entirely clear: > > 1. No one used disability as a "shield." Pointing out how a financial > policy disproportionately impacts a marginalized community is not a shield; > it is a core advocacy issue. Dismissing lived realities as "emotional" > overlooks the actual hurdles faced daily. > > 2. No one claimed anyone abused me, nor did I demand that people stay > silent. My point was—and remains—that healthy debate thrives on facts and > mutual respect, not on dismissing community concerns as "exaggerations." > > > > It is clear you are speaking from a position that does not account for the > reality of navigating these systems with a disability. You speak of "policy > running on data," yet you overlook the data of our daily lives. You seem > unaware of the systematic inaccessibility of traditional banking > applications and the physical impossibility of juggling a cane, a phone, > and currency notes in a crowded, noisy market to verify a transaction. > > > > For many of us, UPI is not just a payment method; it is a vital tool for > autonomy. We rely on it to pay for daily essentials, school fees, and > significant life expenses. This is not a "blanket justification"—it is our > liberty and our freedom. When these costs are imposed, they function as a > tax on our disability, regardless of whether it is paid directly or > indirectly. What you may view as a minor fee for "service upkeep," we view > as a barrier to our independence. > > > > Furthermore, this is the second time I have been personally addressed and > targeted in this manner on this forum, and I truly do not appreciate it. I > would have been open to discussing the merits of the policy based on data > and facts, but I will not engage with misrepresentations of my character or > motives, and I do not wish to engage any further on this topic or debate > this subject any longer. > > > > > > *From:* [email protected] <[email protected]> *On > Behalf Of *Vaibhav Bhandari > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 11, 2026 10:19 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [AI] UPI TRANSACTIONS WILL SHORTLY BECOME CHARGEBLE > > > > Hi Mister Kayne, > > There is a limit to double standards. In the same breath, you preach > listening to and respecting everyone's views, while using disability as a > shield to force compliance under the guise of "unity." As you said, people > have the freedom to oppose ideas, yet you are actively imposing your own > viewpoint without considering those who disagree (in your own words). > Respect is a two-way street. > What you are essentially saying is that being countered makes you feel > unsafe. No one abused you, and the replies were entirely polite. You > emphasize that all members have the liberty to express themselves and ask > questions, but that liberty goes both ways. It extends to questioning a > proposal, no matter how sensitive the topic is to this community. Using > "respect" and "safe space" rhetoric to shut down critique defeats the very > purpose of an open forum. Shall we all just sit at home without commenting > and let a few people make every decision? That would certainly strengthen > unity, never mind the fact that it'd be a mere illusion. > Questioning or opposing the narrative that transaction charges on UPI will > badly affect the PWD community, which is being used as a blanket > justification for a broader group policy, is a fair point of debate. Please > note that in the eight replies to the first email in this thread, not a > single person took even five minutes to research this policy. The arguments > had no factual foundation, even though basic fact-checking takes less than > five minutes. Policy runs on data, not emotions. > Even if this policy were applied to consumers, is it not right to pay a > 0.5% to 1.1% fee for the upkeep of a service you rely on? Do you expect the > government to continuously maintain it at a loss? By that same logic which > you guys put forward, should we also exempt PWDs from paying credit card > charges, utility bills, or mobile recharges? > Standing united on a group decision requires rigorous vetting of every > argument. Asking for unity without debate is just an attempt to enforce > compliance under the guise of harmony. > > > > On Tue, Aug 11, 2026 at 9:17 PM 'Mister Kayne' via AccessIndia < > [email protected]> wrote: > > Thank you for expressing your feelings and your views. > > > > You need to understand that all members of this group have the same > liberties as you to express themselves. So if they feel that they need more > clarity on the situation and subject, then they will reach out to the group > assuming that it is a safe place for them to ask and share their thoughts > and concerns. We need to respect that and be very respectful to them. > > > > After all we have to stand united on such decisions irrespective of it > impacts us directly or indirectly. > > These are facts and not just over exaggerated comments: taking refuge of > UPI? and that is too in name of blindness with showing causes like > convinience, currency notes being not accessible etc > > > > Let us not impose our views without taking into consideration the views of > other members of the group. > > Warm regards, > > Mister Kayne <https://www.blogger.com/profile/04580049257592982490> > > Author: The Somebody, Nobody, Anybody & Everybody Blog! > <https://www.mister-kayne.com/> > > SHOW LOVE > <https://www.mister-kayne.com/p/be-awesome-show-your-love-for-somebody.html> > | SHOP LOVE > <https://www.amazon.in/?&linkCode=sl2&tag=misterkayne-21&linkId=551b8e93e78c38c5ed1d03fe84332eb1&ref_=as_li_ss_tl> > | Contact Me <[email protected]> > > Sent from iPhone ® > > > > > On 11 Aug 2026, at 2:28 PM, Sandesh <[email protected]> wrote: > > taking refuge of UPI? and that is too in name of blindness with showing > causes like convinience, currency notes being not accessible etc > > -- > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of > the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "AccessIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CA55B24C-8F96-40F1-BDA6-1DF03ACC07BF%40mister-kayne.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CA55B24C-8F96-40F1-BDA6-1DF03ACC07BF%40mister-kayne.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > > > > -- > > Thanks/regards: Vaibhav Bhandari > > -- > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of > the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "AccessIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADDLUp3PaNE6QLyDsXqoGNJ8MjqB4PA-sxX6ffq1rC2oNnLNug%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CADDLUp3PaNE6QLyDsXqoGNJ8MjqB4PA-sxX6ffq1rC2oNnLNug%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of > the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "AccessIndia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/00d301dd29bb%24228bbfb0%2467a33f10%24%40mister-kayne.com > <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/00d301dd29bb%24228bbfb0%2467a33f10%24%40mister-kayne.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- Warm regards, Udit Pandey 📱 Phone & WhatsApp: +91 99909 55800 📧 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: udit.pandey123 🙏 Wishing you and your loved ones safety, peace, and strength. 🕊 Let us speak no evil, see no evil, and hear no evil. -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAJZg8ffO3UnaNEmToUPs6kvPQgZHwN1-_NT_EEP66PsEEeYz%2Bw%40mail.gmail.com.
