World Connect News
Lucknow (Special Report): After promoting digital transactions, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati has strongly criticized the central government for its plan to impose a 0.4 percent fee on UPI merchant transfers. In a statement issued on the social media platform ‘X’, Mayawati said that this new system of the government at first glance reflects the ‘capitalist profiteering thinking’. She said that after initially promoting UPI and digital payments rapidly, now imposing a fee on it is like collecting tax from the public with both hands.
There will be an additional burden on the pockets of the common people
Mayawati clarified that no matter what name is given to this system, which will be implemented on October 15th, its ultimate impact will be on the pockets of the common people and businesses. She said that a large population of the country is already suffering from extreme poverty, backbreaking inflation, unemployment, and illiteracy. In such a situation, the primary focus of government policies should be on public welfare and relief, rather than commercial profit. If the government itself does not care about the suffering of the people, then to whom will the people turn?
Expressed his opinion on the ‘Smart School’ scheme in UP
Mayawati also praised the Uttar Pradesh government’s move to transform approximately 14,500 government schools into “smart schools” at a cost of ₹300 crore (approximately $1.5 billion). However, she advised that before providing children with a smart education, it is crucial to improve basic infrastructure such as roofs, cleanliness, benches, chairs, books, toilets, and playgrounds. The government should also seriously consider whether providing all these basic amenities is realistic with a budget of approximately ₹2 lakh per school.
