The CCPA has said that if hotels or restaurants charge service charges even after this order, then you can file a complaint on the National Consumer Helpline – 1915.
Hotel-Restaurant Service Charge: If you often go to eat in hotels and restaurants, then there is good news for you. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Monday announced that hotels and restaurants will no longer be able to charge service charges. The CCPA has banned service charges automatically added to the food bill in restaurants. Not only this, CCPA has said that if the service charge is collected by the hotel or restaurant even after this order, then you can file a complaint about it.
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What is said in this guideline
For some time now, there was a constant debate on the service charge charged by hotels and restaurants. Amidst increasing complaints, CCPA has issued a guideline banning service charge. The guideline states, “No hotel or restaurant may add service charge to the bill automatically or by default.” It also states that the service charge should not be recovered by any other name.
Cannot be compelled to pay service charge
No hotel or restaurant can compel any customer to pay a service charge. They have to clearly convey to the customer that the service charge is voluntary, optional and at the discretion of the customer. This means that the customer can either pay the service charge or refuse to pay it. The guideline further states that there will be no restriction on the entry of customers in the name of service charge. Also, service charge cannot be collected by adding it to the food bill and levying GST on the total amount.
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You can complain on the helpline
If a customer finds that a hotel or restaurant is levying a service charge in violation of the guidelines, he can request the restaurant to remove it from the bill amount. Consumers can also register complaints on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) if they wish. For this you have to call 1915. Along with this, you can also file a complaint with the Consumer Commission.
(Input-PTI)
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