The Mint editorial argues that India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), despite achieving high penetration, faces significant costs, necessitating a shift from its current charge-free model. Citing the "user-pays principle," the article contends that public digital infrastructure requires fair usage charges to attract sustainable capital. It critiques the "freebie culture" and highlights the substantial industry costs. The editorial suggests a nominal merchant discount on larger UPI transactions, with smaller ones exempt, and proposes that the RBI’s e-rupee could eventually allow UPI to become a fully charged service, ensuring long-term investment without hindering adoption.