CCPA warns restaurants that “LP gas charging” is illegal and will take action

NEW DELHI: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Wednesday warned hotels and restaurants to take action if they are found levying additional charges such as ‘LP gas charge’, ‘gas surcharge’ and ‘fuel cost recovery’ on their food bills.The agency issued an advisory citing provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, stating that the tacit imposition of such charges was an attempt to circumvent existing service charge guidelines. It said there would be no automatic imposition of such charges and warned that breaches could result in “stringent action” as they amounted to “unfair trade practices”.The CCPA said complaints and media reports received by the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) revealed that some hotels and restaurants were tacitly imposing such charges on consumers’ bills, in excess of the food and beverage prices shown on the menu and applicable taxes. The agency said input costs such as fuel, LPG, electricity and other operating expenses are part of a business’s operating costs and must be factored into the pricing of menu items. The prices shown in the menu are final and only exclude applicable taxes, the company said. Consumers should not be misled or forced to pay any involuntary additional charges. The CCPA said that consumers who encounter such behavior can ask the hotel or restaurant to remove the charge from the bill; lodge a complaint by calling 1915 or its app, or lodge a complaint with the appropriate consumer council through the e-Jagriti portal.