Why Did Paytm Put QR Codes Outside Of Badrinath And Kedarnath Temples?

A police case filed against Paytm as it put QR codes outside of Badrinath & Kedarnath temples. But Paytm explained that they already had an agreement in 2018.

Paytm has issued an explanation for putting QR codes for donations outside the gates of Badrinath and Kedarnath temples to BKTC. 

According to Paytm, the boards with QR codes were set up as part of the formal agreement made between the BKTC and Paytm in 2018. 

The agreement allowed the fintech firm to put up Quick Response (QR) codes at temple sites to get donations from pilgrims. 

Paytm has apologized for not seeking permission from the competent BKTC authorities before putting up such boards.

The QR code boards seeking donations from pilgrims were put up outside the gates of Badrinath and Kedarnath, which drew the attention of local authorities who were unaware of such boards. 

After receiving a complaint, the boards were removed on April 25 and 27, the day Kedarnath and Badrinath, respectively, opened to devotees.

The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) media incharge, Harish Gaud, confirmed that small boards with QR codes had been put up outside these temples by Paytm, and ₹67 lakh had been received by the BKTC through these QR codes by way of donations.

The temple committee does not use the UPI mode for transactions, and the QR codes were put up without prior information to the local authority, hence they were removed immediately after the issue was brought to notice by the people.

Cases under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code were registered in the matter on Monday at Badrinath police station and Kedarnath police. These cases were registered for putting up the QR code boards outside the temples, and an investigation was ordered into it.

As per Paytm explanation, Paytm put up QR codes for donations outside of temples as part of the formal agreement made between the BKTC and Paytm in 2018. 

However, Paytm did not seek permission from the competent BKTC authorities before putting up such boards, which led to confusion and a police case against the fintech firm. 

The QR codes were put up without prior information to the local authority and were removed immediately after the issue was brought to notice.

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