July 4, 2022: The government has barred hotels and restaurants from forcibly asking customers to pay a service charge by default as part of the food bill.
An order issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) said hotels and restaurants are banned from levying service charges by default in bills.
Those guidelines were released by the Consumer Affairs Ministry after a rise in consumer complaints about restaurants charging a fee in the name of service offered, or a forced tip, in other words.
There was some confusion previously when the Consumer Affairs Ministry had asked restaurants and hotels not to charge a service charge, there were no clear guidelines, and the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) had argued that a charge for services was "legal" until the government formed a legal framework.
Now, the latest guidelines are clear and give consumers the right to lodge a complaint on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) against any service fee charged. Consumers can also submit a complaint electronically through the e-daakhil portal for quick and efficient resolution.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The government has barred hotels and restaurants from forcibly asking customers to pay a service charge by default as part of the food bill
July 4, 2022: The government has barred hotels and restaurants from forcibly asking customers to pay a service charge by default as part of the food bill.
An order issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) said hotels and restaurants are banned from levying service charges by default in bills.
Those guidelines were released by the Consumer Affairs Ministry after a rise in consumer complaints about restaurants charging a fee in the name of service offered, or a forced tip, in other words.
There was some confusion previously when the Consumer Affairs Ministry had asked restaurants and hotels not to charge a service charge, there were no clear guidelines, and the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) had argued that a charge for services was "legal" until the government formed a legal framework.
Now, the latest guidelines are clear and give consumers the right to lodge a complaint on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) against any service fee charged. Consumers can also submit a complaint electronically through the e-daakhil portal for quick and efficient resolution.