For a population that is increasingly pampered with freebies - from TV sets to laptops in poll-bound states - a sudden demand to pay for digital transactions, however meagre, is seen as sacrilege. But history shows that mixing economic activity and charity does not end up well.
Outrage over the 0.4% merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions is misplaced. No service can be efficient and reach a wider audience without users paying for it. These charges align with other markets, such as Brazil and China.
