New Delhi, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : Santirupt Mishra, a leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has urged the central government to explore alternative funding methods for enhancing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure and cybersecurity. He emphasized the need to ensure safety for small businesses and consumers during a press conference on Saturday.
His comments follow concerns raised by Odisha’s Leader of Opposition and BJD President Naveen Patnaik regarding the recently announced 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000. Patnaik highlighted the importance of protecting the interests of ordinary people and small merchants.
Mishra acknowledged that UPI is a significant innovation. He posed critical questions about funding for cybersecurity and technology improvements. “It’s not just about needing funding; we must consider how to secure that funding and who will bear the costs,” he stated. He stressed that ongoing investment in these areas is essential.
Furthermore, Mishra reiterated the BJD’s commitment to ensuring consumer and small business safety. He suggested that there are multiple ways to raise funds for these initiatives without imposing additional burdens on small businesses.
Regarding a recent post by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, which claimed that the parliamentary standing committee on finance did not discuss the government’s proposed UPI tax, Mishra expressed his lack of knowledge on the matter. However, he requested clarification from the committee’s chair, Bhartuhari Mahatab, on whether discussions took place concerning UPI issues and their nature.
Mishra also called for greater transparency in the workings of parliamentary committees, stressing that the public deserves to know what discussions occur on significant matters and why constructive suggestions may not be acted upon.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Congress has sharply criticized the central government, likening the 0.4% MDR on UPI transactions to the historical ‘jizya tax.’
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