Petrol Pump Owners in Punjab and Haryana Threaten to Stop UPI Payments Over MDR Charges

Petroleum dealers across Punjab and Haryana have expressed strong resentment over the imposition of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions, threatening to discontinue digital payments at fuel stations in the coming days. Addressing the media, Punjab Petroleum Dealers Association President Paramjit Singh Doaba and State Spokesperson Monty Sehgal stated that fuel station operators are already grappling with severe financial hardships. They pointed out that dealers receive a very low commission on fuel sales, and arbitrary policies by oil companies have made operations increasingly difficult. Furthermore, the MDR deductions on digital transactions are directly cutting into their already thin profit margins. This stringent decision by the dealers is likely to cause major inconvenience to the general public, as a vast majority of motorists prefer paying through digital applications like Google Pay, PhonePay, and other UPI platforms rather than carrying cash. The association warned that if the central government fails to address their grievances, a comprehensive strategy will be formulated to launch a large-scale nationwide agitation following Diwali. In addition to financial concerns, the Petrol Pump Association highlighted a critical social issue regarding restroom facilities. They noted that while restrooms at fuel stations are meant for public convenience, some individuals have been misusing them for drug consumption. Expressing grave concern over this trend, the association has demanded official permission to keep pump restrooms locked when necessary to help curb drug abuse on their premises.