There must have been so many occasions in a hotel or restaurant that you saw a hefty SERVICE CHARGE levied this is after the Govt. Service Tax and you were dissatisfied with the service as well.
Now the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has issued a press note stating
Hotel Association of India, have replied that the service charge is completely discretionary and should a customer be dissatisfied with the dining experience he/she can have it waived off.
Therefore, it is deemed to be accepted voluntarily.
A number of complaints from consumers have been received that hotels and restaurants are following the practice of charging ‘service charge’ in the range of 5-20%, in lieu of tips, which a consumer is forced to pay irrespective of the kind of service provided to him. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides 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.
In this context, the department of Consumer Affairs, Central Government has called for clarification from the Hotel Association of India, which have replied that the service charge is completely discretionary and should a customer be dissatisfied with the dining experience he/she can have it waived off. Therefore, it is deemed to be accepted voluntarily.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has asked the State Governments to sensitize the companies, hotels and restaurants in the states regarding aforementioned provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and also to advise the Hotels/Restaurants to disseminate information through display at the appropriate place in the hotels/restaurants that the ‘service charges” are discretionary/ voluntary and a consumer dissatisfied with the services can have it waived off.
I have face this many times in sports lounge , u also asked den but the cashier is quite , I asked him y this 2 time service charge in bill , he is like it’s in all bill
Very useful information.Consumer should take note of it.