India, Sept. 17 -- A public interest litigation (PIL) matter has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the Centre's decision to impose a merchant discount rate (MDR) on specified UPI person-to-merchant transactions of above Rs 2,000, saying the levy has been introduced without adequate statutory safeguards, transparency or public consultation.

The government has introduced a 0.4 per cent fee on UPI payments of more than Rs 2,000 made to merchants from October 15. Under this, a merchant discount rate (MDR) of 0.4 per cent is to be levied on person-to-merchant transactions of above Rs 2,000. However, no MDR is to be levied on UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000.

The plea has been filed by advocate Anjan Datta, challenging the Centre...