India, Sept. 16 -- A public interest litigation (PIL) 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 above Rs 2,000, with the petitioner alleging that the levy was introduced without adequate statutory safeguards, transparency or public consultation.

The plea, filed by advocate Anjan Datta, challenges the Centre's September 14 notification and the MDR framework announced on September 15, which is scheduled to come into effect from October 15.

Under the new framework, an MDR of 0.4 per cent will apply to general person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, subject to a cap of Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,0...