Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has warned hotels and restaurants against levying additional charges such as “LPG charges”, “gas surcharge”, “fuel cost recovery”, “gas crisis charge”, or any similar levies on customers.
In an advisory, CCPA stated that several complaints received through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and media reports indicated that certain establishments were levying such charges by default in customer bills, over and above the prices displayed in the menu and applicable taxes. Referring to its guidelines issued on July 4, 2022, regarding service charges, the CCPA clarified that the price of food and beverages displayed in the menu already included the cost of goods and services. Therefore, CCPA cautioned that imposing any extra charges for operational costs like LPG, fuel, or electricity amounted to an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.The advisory stressed that all business operational costs must be factored into the menu price.
The authority asserted that levying such charges separately, under any name, lacked transparency and violated consumer rights.
CCPA has strictly advised hotels and restaurants not to add any such charges by default in customer bills.
Further, CCPA said that price displayed on the menu must be treated as the final price, excluding only applicable government taxes.
It stated that consumers should not be compelled or misled into paying any additional non-voluntary charges.
In case such charges were added, CCPA advised consumers to request the establishment to remove them from the bill. If refused, one could lodged complaint through National Consumer Helpline (NCH) by dialling 1915 or via the NCH mobile app; e-Jagriti portal for Consumer Commissions; District Collector/Deputy Commissioner or Directly to CCPA through email
The authority has warned that non-compliance with its advisory could invite strict action under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Saturday, April 18, 2026