Hotels will not be able to charge service charge on food bill

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has said that no hotel restaurant can add service charge on its own or by default in the food bill. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued guidelines on unfair trade practices and consumer rights protection in this regard.

The guidelines state that service charge cannot be taken by any other name. Hotels and restaurants cannot force the consumer to charge a service fee, which is voluntary and optional.

The ministry has said that consumers can register complaints on the National Consumer Helpline number 1915 or on the NCH mobile app. Complaints can also be lodged on the Consumer Commission’s portal www.e-daakhil.nic.in.