Petrol pumps to accepts cards till Jan. 13, Centre assures consumers

With the Petrol Pumps Association deferring its decision of not accepting card payment for fuel purchase till January 13, Union Minister of Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday assured that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is a business issue between the Banks and Oil Marketing Company (OMC) which will be resolved shortly.

Speaking to ANI here, Pradhan assured that that the oil retail owners and consumer need not to worry about the development.

"The government has suggested negotiation between Oil Marketing Company (OMC) and bankers. This is a business issue between banker and oil marketing company. They are talking and I hope something will come out within few days," Pradhan told ANI.

Pradhan further said the retail outlet owner and the consumers should not worry about any kind of surcharge or any MDR, adding that the government is very clear about the matter.

The petrol pump owners deferred its earlier decision to not to accept credit and debit cards for fuel purchase till January 13th, after banks put off the move to levy the transaction Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charge.

In order to promote cash-less transactions, the Centre had waived the MDR on fuel purchase post demonetisation for consumers.

But after the end of 50 days to change the old currency, the banks have decided to levy MDR on petrol pump owners.