Parliament clears Taxation and Other Laws Amendment Bill; Sitharaman says no UPI MDR for consumers, small merchants

New Delhi [India], August 10 (ANI): Parliament on Monday passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the Rajya Sabha returned the Money Bill to the Lok Sabha following discussion, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assuring that consumers and small merchants will not have to pay Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions.

The Lok Sabha had earlier passed the Bill. As it is a Money Bill, the Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations on its provisions and return it to the Lok Sabha, which may accept or reject those recommendations.