National News
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Awarded Scholarships to 350+ Girl Students in Ghatkopar Reinforcing its vision of Women Empowerment
Malabar Group, India’s leading business conglomerate and the parent company of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young women through education by awarding scholarships worth ₹29,00,000 to over 350 deserving girl students across 30+ schools.
The scholarship distribution ceremony was held at Zaverben Popatlal Sabhagruha Auditorium, Ghatkopar, Mumbai, where financial aid was provided to ensure these students can pursue their academic aspirations without constraints. This initiative reflects Malabar Group’s dedication to fostering education and enabling young women to build a brighter future.
The event was graced by the presence of Shri Sanjay Mukund Kelkar, Member of the Maharashtra Assembly, as the chief guest. His participation underscored the importance of collective efforts in promoting women’s education, further strengthening their role in society and helping them achieve a position of dignity and respect.
Speaking in regards to the initiative, MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group, said, “Providing Education to young girls is the most effective ways of ensuring positive change as education lays the foundation of a progressive nation, and equipping young women with the means and knowledge for betterment is one of the most impactful ways of ensuring a brighter future. These scholarships are not just supposed to be an economic aid to the students; but they are also investments in the future of our society, ensuring that no young girl has to compromise on reaching the pinnacle of her potential, due to financial misfortune”
Since its establishment in 1999, the Malabar Charitable Trust has been at the forefront of numerous social welfare initiatives. Malabar Group dedicates 5% of its annual profits to CSR activities, focusing on education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and poverty alleviation.
The Malabar Scholarship program, a flagship initiative under the Group’s CSR framework, continues to bridge educational gaps for marginalized communities. By fostering academic opportunities for young girls, Malabar Group aims to create a ripple effect of progress that extends beyond individuals to families and entire communities.
The group’s overarching narrative to support education and skill development across India is further highlighted by this Scholarship distribution event in Mumbai. Malabar Group’s broader mission to support sustained initiatives has seen the Group remain committed to empowering future generations and fostering an inclusive, educated society for all.
National News
MDR For UPI: Credit Card Bill Payments and Jewellery Purchases Remain Free For Consumers
Consumers Are Advised That Merchant-Imposed Surcharges On Card Or UPI Payments Violate Current Payment Guidelines
Following recent industry discussions regarding the updated Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions, financial experts and industry leaders have clarified that individual consumers will not incur any additional charges when paying credit card bills or purchasing high-value items like jewellery via UPI apps.
Zero Fees on Credit Card Bill Payments via UPI
Despite the implementation of the revised UPI MDR structure, consumers using UPI-enabled applications to pay their credit card bills remain entirely exempt from MDR fees.
No Cost Impact for Users: Cardholders can continue paying their bills through standard UPI QR codes or app-based transfers without losing reward points, credit float advantages, or incurring extra costs.
Understanding BBPS Fees: While standard bank-to-bank UPI transfers do not carry MDR, credit card bill payments processed through the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) may incur small convenience or processing fees set directly by participating payment platforms under their own commercial terms—not as part of the UPI MDR framework.
Framework for Jewellery Purchases and High-Value Merchants
For high-value retail transactions, including jewellery purchases, regulatory guidelines mandate that the burden of MDR falls strictly on merchants, not customers:
Consumer Exemption: Merchants and payment platforms are prohibited from passing MDR charges or platform surcharges directly onto buyers.
Capped MDR for Jewellers: Under the revised Person-to-Merchant (P2M) framework for transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, jewellers and high-value merchants absorb a capped MDR of 0.4% (up to a maximum limit of Rs 300 per transaction for purchases of Rs 75,000 and above).
Payment Transparency: While jewellers absorb nominal fees for bank-linked UPI transactions, standard credit card fees continue to apply to credit card swipes and RuPay-credit card UPI transactions.
Consumers are advised that merchant-imposed surcharges on card or UPI payments violate current payment guidelines.
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