Shivakumar Calls Proposed UPI Charges ‘Pickpocketing’ Of Common man

Kalaburagi: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday accused the Centre of “pickpocketing” the common man by proposing charges on merchants for UPI transactions, warning that the cost would eventually be passed on to consumers.

“The merchants will pass on the burden of the UPI charges to consumers. This is a new pickpocketing of ordinary people by the Central government. I condemn this,” Shivakumar told reporters in Kalaburagi.

In a sarcastic reference to the government, Shivakumar said, “Just as teachers are given the designation ‘Tr’ and engineers ‘Er’, all Union ministers should be given a PhD in pickpocketing.”

He took a swipe at the Narendra Modi government over the proposed UPI charges, stating that the move went against the idea of a cashless economy and questioned why people were now being pushed towards the old system after demonetisation.

“We will oppose any move to impose charges on UPI transactions. The proposal should be withdrawn immediately and the earlier system should be retained,” he demanded.

“Why did they call it Cashless India? Why was demonetisation carried out? Why are people now being made to go back towards the old system?” he asked.

He also questioned the financial implications of the proposed move and said the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) had tax-free profits of Rs 6,119 crore.

Shivakumar alleged that the proposed charges would benefit merchants outside the country while placing an additional burden on consumers in India.

“We will have to protest against the implementation of UPI charges. Such a harsh decision has been taken to benefit merchants from foreign countries,” he said.

Asked about the alleged excessive use of Bhima river water within Maharashtra, Shivakumar said local MLAs had brought the issue to his attention.

“Local MLAs have informed us that excessive use of Bhima river water is taking place within Maharashtra itself. This has caused problems with drinking water availability in the border districts. I will discuss this issue with the Maharashtra Chief Minister,” he said.

Shivakumar said Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had reached an understanding within a month of his assuming office on measures to prevent wastage of Tungabhadra water.

“Thirty-three TMC of water from the Tungabhadra is being wasted and flowing into Andhra Pradesh. I discussed with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana how to prevent Tungabhadra water from being wasted, and we reached a consensus,” he said.

He added that the Centre had also been informed of the three states’ consensus on linking the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers.

“This decision will give a push to the development of Kalyana Karnataka. This is the first time that the Chief Ministers of the three states have reached such a consensus. Despite political differences among the three states, this historic decision was taken within a month of my assuming office,” he said.

Shivakumar said the Navale balancing reservoir would be constructed in Karnataka and would benefit all three states.

“The Navale balancing reservoir will be constructed in Karnataka, and this will benefit three states,” he added.

On setting up large industries in the region, he said he would speak to Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy and that the state was ready to provide land wherever required.

Asked about farm-loan repayment in drought-hit taluks, Shivakumar said the government would discuss the issue with banks and asked Opposition leaders to offer their suggestions during the legislature session on the demand for a loan waiver.

He said a survey was under way in taluks yet to be declared drought-hit and that a decision would be taken soon.

On cloud seeding, he said the exercise had been undertaken over the past week wherever conditions permitted.