Traders in Rohtak oppose MDR on UPI, press for compensation after D‑Park blaze
Rohtak traders on Sunday rallied against a possible levy on digital payments, pressing the state to withdraw proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) or any charges on UPI transactions and demanding adequate compensation for shopkeepers affected by the D‑Park market fire on 9 June. The meeting was convened by the Rashtriya Jan Udhyog Vyapar Sangathan in the city.
At the gathering, Sangathan state president Gulshan Dang framed the issue as one of survival for small and medium retailers who, he said, were already contending with an economic slowdown. The organisation warned it would escalate to a statewide protest if the government proceeded with charging merchants for UPI transactions.
"Small and medium traders are already facing difficulties amid a slowdown, and any additional financial burden on digital transactions will further affect their businesses. We oppose the imposition of MDR and other charges on UPI transactions as these will adversely affect small retailers. We demand withdrawal of the charges and will not hesitate to launch a statewide protest if the demand is not met," said Sangthan state president Gulshan Dang.
What traders want — three clear demands
- No MDR/UPI charges: The association urged the government to promote digital payments without shifting transaction costs onto merchants.
- Full compensation for D‑Park fire victims: Traders said the compensation announced by the state and the Chief Minister so far has been "nominal" and insufficient to help shopkeepers restart their businesses.
- Improved market security: The group called for stronger measures to prevent thefts, robberies and other criminal incidents in local markets.
Speakers at the meeting stressed that digital transactions should be encouraged but not at the expense of retailers, who often operate on low margins. The Sangathan argued that additional transaction costs would disproportionately affect small shops and neighbourhood stores in Rohtak and across Haryana.
Local impact and wider implications
The stroll-back of MDR or similar merchant charges would relieve an immediate cost pressure on small traders, the Sangathan said. Conversely, if charges are imposed, traders warned of organised protests that could expand beyond Rohtak. The organisation also highlighted the human cost of the D‑Park blaze, noting that many shopkeepers had invested lifetime savings in their establishments.
On the compensation issue, the association urged the state to revisit earlier announcements and provide more substantial financial help on "humanitarian grounds" so affected traders can resume business. According to the meeting, only nominal payouts have been disbursed so far, a claim the group said was unjustified given the scale of losses.
| Issue | Traders' position |
|---|---|
| UPI/MDR charges | Immediate withdrawal; no additional transaction costs |
| D‑Park fire compensation | Reconsider and provide adequate compensation |
| Market security | Effective measures to curb thefts and robberies |
Traders argued that adequate compensation is essential because many shopkeepers use personal savings to run their businesses and lack the financial buffer to rebuild after a major loss. They said the state’s announced assistance had not translated into meaningful relief on the ground.
The meeting also raised concerns about law-and-order in commercial areas, urging authorities to ensure markets are safe so traders can operate without fear of criminal incidents. The Sangathan requested concrete action plans rather than assurances.
Organisers told the media the association had discussed these pressing concerns and would continue to press the government for answers. They reiterated that while digital payments are desirable, the cost burden must not shift to merchants who already face economic pressures.
How the state responds to these demands will shape the immediate business climate in Rohtak and could influence similar trader actions elsewhere in Haryana if talks do not produce satisfactory outcomes. The Sangathan’s warning of a statewide agitation signals potential for escalation should the government insist on implementing merchant charges for UPI transactions.
