New Tax Bill Lets Government Decide Free Digital Payment Modes: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has clarified that UPI transaction charges, if any, will apply only to merchants and not to individual customers. The clarification came in the context of the new Tax Bill currently under consideration. The proposed legislation would grant the central government authority to determine which electronic payment modes or transactions remain free of charge. The move is aimed at providing regulatory flexibility over digital payment infrastructure in India.