The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a strict warning to hotels and restaurants across the country. Now adding money like ‘LPG charge’, ‘Gas surcharge’ or ‘Fuel cost recovery’ in the food bill has been declared completely illegal. The authority has made it clear that doing so is a fraud on the customers and now strict legal action will be taken against those who violate the rules.
CCPA has issued a new order and clarified that gas, electricity or any other expense of running a shop is part of the hotel’s business. Restaurants have no legal right to add these personal expenses separately to the bill. According to the rules, the customer will have to pay only the price written on the menu card and the government tax (GST) applicable on it. Apart from this, it will no longer be possible to collect any kind of secret charge.
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A new way was found in exchange of service charge
Investigation has revealed that ever since the ban on charging service charge has come into effect, many restaurants have invented new names like ‘LPG Charge’ to fleece customers. The National Consumer Helpline was flooded with complaints that people were paying various additional charges over and above the price of food. CCPA has considered this an ‘unfair trade practice’ and said that misleading customers has to stop now.
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Customers can now register their complaints here
The authority has made it clear that strict action will be taken under the Consumer Protection Act against institutions that ignore these rules. If a restaurant forcefully adds extra charges to the bill, customers can demand their removal immediately. Even after this, if the restaurant owner does not agree, then you can lodge your complaint online by calling the helpline number 1915 or through ‘e-Jagrati’ portal.
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