The New Year appears to have a brought a reason to rejoice for all the food lovers as payment of service charge on the food bills is subject to satisfaction.
Following the complaints of the consumers against restaurants on the practice of charging ‘service charge’ in the range of 5-20 per cent in lieu of tips, the centre has asked the state governments to “sensitize the companies, hotels and restaurants in the states regarding aforementioned provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.”
The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry in an official statement recently said that it has asked the states to ensure that hotels/restaurants publicise this information through displays at their premises, the Indian Express reported.
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 specifies that a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or the supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or deceptive practice, is to be treated as an unfair trade practice and that a consumer can make a complaint to the appropriate consumer forum established under the Act against such unfair trade practices.
