NDA leaders hit back at Rahul over UPI charge concerns

New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Wednesday rejected Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s concerns over UPI charges and his allegation that the decision was taken under pressure from the United States, calling the claim baseless and defending the government’s move.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on UPI charges, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the decision concerning UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000 was fair and would not create difficulties for small vendors and businesses.

“I feel that the decision taken by the government regarding UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 is fair. For transactions up to Rs 2,000, small vendors and businesses face no issues. However, if their business transactions exceed Rs 2,000, charging a nominal 0.4 per cent fee is not a huge burden. For instance, on transactions up to Rs 75,000, they only have to pay around Rs 300,” Athawale said.

He also dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that the decision was taken because of pressure from the US, saying there was no connection between the two. “Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that this step was taken under US pressure is completely baseless. Rahul Gandhi is adept at spreading falsehoods and habitually makes misleading claims on various issues. America has nothing to do with this decision,” Athawale said. BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana also defended the government’s decision, while accusing the Congress of trying to create fear among people over the issue. “Congress should look within itself and see what it did during its time. The Congress wants to create fear in society. There is no burden on the poor regarding UPI charges. However, when you use a facility and make bulk transactions, institutions should receive some consideration,” Khatana said.

BJP National Spokesperson Guru Prakash also targeted Rahul Gandhi over his reference to the United States, accusing the Congress leader of repeatedly attributing government decisions to American pressure. “Rahul Gandhi ji has developed a Trump phobia, an America phobia. Every decision that is made is under pressure from America. I think Rahul Gandhi ji has taken a little too much inspiration from history. Indira Gandhi ji used to say, ‘America’s hand is involved’, and she even called Jayaprakash Narayan ji, who was from Bihar, a CIA agent,” Guru Prakash said.

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