Kerala’s jewellery trade bodies have opposed the proposed imposition of additional charges on UPI transactions and announced support for a statewide protest planned outside Central Government offices on October 13. The mobilisation is being organised by the Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (KGSMA), with the Kerala Jewellers Association Coordination Committee backing the action.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by KGSMA state president K. Surendran. The committee said additional financial burdens on UPI payments would affect both traders and consumers at a time when digital transactions are being encouraged. It also called for the proposed charges to be withdrawn.
According to the report, the jewellery associations believe that higher transaction costs could increase the operating expenses of small businesses. The issue is particularly relevant to retail shops that use digital payments as part of everyday transactions, although the report does not specify the proposed rate, the authority that would impose it or the date on which any charge could take effect.
The committee resolved to strengthen the trade sector’s demand against UPI charges and to express full solidarity with the October 13 protest. The demonstration is expected to take place outside Central Government offices across Kerala, as part of the statewide programme announced by KGSMA.
Several representatives from trade organisations participated in the meeting and spoke in support of the demand. They included Dr B. Govindan of AKGSMA, M.P. Ahamed, Rajesh Kalyan, A.K. Nishad of the Kerala Jewellers Federation, Shaju Chirayath of KGSDA, Suhas Rao, Krishnakumar Unni and Suhas Mathew.
The dispute places the cost of digital payments at the centre of a broader concern for small urban and town-based retailers. UPI transactions are used by businesses and customers for in-store payments, and any additional cost would become part of the operating calculations of shops and the purchasing decisions of consumers. The committee’s position is that imposing such a burden could weaken the incentive to use digital payments.
The report does not record a response from the Central Government, the Reserve Bank of India, banks, payment service providers or other agencies responsible for the UPI ecosystem. It also does not establish whether any additional UPI charge has been formally notified or whether the proposal remains under consideration.
The next publicly announced step is the October 13 statewide protest outside Central Government offices. The participating trade bodies have said they will use the demonstration to press for the withdrawal of the proposed charges.
