Now, auto drivers too refuse UPI payments

BENGALURU: Auto drivers in Bengaluru are now in fear of the commercial tax department’s notice, similar to small traders who use online payment systems like PhonePe and Google Pay. To avoid tax implications, auto drivers are requesting customers to pay in cash instead of using UPI (Unified Payments Interface).

Most customers pay auto drivers through UPI, but now drivers are asking for cash payments due to the tax notices. Some customers are obliged to pay in cash, while others still pay through UPI.

Auto drivers are criticising the government’s tax drive, saying it’s making their lives difficult. Rising costs and a lack of passengers are already making their lives difficult, they said. The tax notices are adding to their woes, and they are worried about how they will survive if they are forced to pay taxes.

The drivers are appealing to customers to understand their situation and pay in cash. However, with most people preferring digital payments, it’s becoming a challenge for auto drivers to adapt to the new demands.

Prakash, an auto driver, said, “As a commoner, why should I pay taxes on all commodities? If the government imposes taxes on everything, it will be difficult to even survive. The condition of all auto drivers is the same. There is no cash; most of the passengers are paying via UPI. We are not earning Rs 1,000 a day even though we work from morning to night. Why should they put the tax burden on poor people like us? If the commercial tax department sends notices to small traders, where will they get the money? Most of them are living in rented houses. We are afraid of  getting tax notice. One day, they might send notice to us. So we are requesting passengers to pay the fare in cash”.