Ashneer Grover Takes a Dig at UPI MDR Delay

BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover has taken a sarcastic swipe at the government over its decision to postpone discussions on the UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) until after Diwali. Mocking the delay, Grover suggested that the issue could be pushed to Diwali 2047, when India is expected to become a developed nation.

The debate centres on whether merchants should pay a fee for accepting UPI payments. MDR is a charge paid by merchants to payment service providers for processing transactions. With UPI becoming an essential payment method across India, from small roadside vendors to large businesses, the question of how payment companies should cover their operating costs remains unresolved. Grover’s remark has highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the government’s decision and the timeline for resolving the issue.