NEW DELHI, AUG 10 (PTI): UPI payments remain free for consumers, and any future merchant charges (MDR) will apply only to certain categories of merchant transactions, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Allaying apprehensions in certain sections that charges may be imposed on UPI transactions, the minister asserted that the vast majority of merchant transactions, including low-value transactions to roadside vendors, will continue to remain free. No, consumers will not have to pay any charges on UPI transactions. “The vast majority of merchant transactions, including ordinary, low-value transactions, will continue to remain free. “It’s because of the UPI transactions being done by the SVANidhi merchants, redi-patriwalas, that UPI has become so big,” she added.