Guwahati, Aug. 7 -- The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which includes amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, authorising the government to permit banks and other payment service providers to levy charges on UPI and other notified electronic payment modes.

The Bill was passed through a voice vote without discussion as repeated Opposition protests disrupted proceedings over several issues, including allegations relating to the theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

One of the key amendments removes the existing legal provision that bars banks and payment service providers from collecting the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on notified electronic payment modes. ...