The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi will boycott UPI transactions in the State on October 15 in protest against the Centre’s move to impose charges on such transactions.
Raju Apsara, the state president of the Samithi said that small traders widely adopted UPI payment systems following the Centre’s call to promote digital transactions, and imposing a 0.4 per cent charge. However, GST on such transactions would put additional financial burden on them.
With profit margins remaining limited amid intense competition, the additional fee on every transaction would increase operating costs and worsen the crisis faced by the sector.
The Samithi, therefore, requested the government to withdraw the decision.
He alleged that the Centre is backtracking from its earlier stand that no charges would be imposed on UPI transactions. It was also decided to organise strong protests by mobilising small traders across the State against the move, he added.
Published on September 20, 2026
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