Pioneer In Short
MP traders observe No UPI Day
Traders across several Madhya Pradesh cities observed a No UPI Day on Wednesday, covering their store QR codes with black cloth to protest the Centre's decision to levy a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. Organised by trade federations, the protest spanned Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Gwalior. Protesters urged customers to shift to cash payments, arguing that the extra cost will ultimately burden the common public. Trade leaders warned that code machines would be submerged in water bodies if the fee is not rolled back. Meanwhile, the Government maintains that customers will not incur any additional charges.
Indian Seafarer Killed Off Oman
India has strongly condemned an attack on the commercial vessel MV Cape Dao off the east coast of Oman, which resulted in the tragic death of an Indian seafarer. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that out of 20 Indian crew members on board, 19 have been safely rescued. The Indian Embassy in Muscat is closely coordinating with Omani authorities to ensure the early repatriation of the surviving crew and the return of the deceased's mortal remains. Calling the continuing incidents of maritime violence "deeply worrisome," New Delhi reiterated that the targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, and civilian infrastructure must end immediately. The MEA emphasized restoring free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways and called for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate regional tensions.
