There are often instances when the dining experience is extremely unsatisfactory and frustrating but still, you are forced to pay a heavy service charge. Worry not, 2017 is kind to us unlike 2016. Now, consumers can refuse to pay the service charge if the dining services are not up to the mark.
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has specified that if a trade practice for the purpose of promoting the sale or for the provision of any service adopts any unfair method, then, it will be treated as an unfair trade practice and the consumer can make a complaint against the organization.
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The Central government has directed all the state governments to “sensitize the companies, hotels and restaurants in the states regarding aforementioned provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.”
Therefore, in accordance with this act, Hotel Association of India, declared that the service charge is mandatory and it is to be accepted voluntarily.
Also, the Government has asked state governments to advise the Hotels/Restaurants to circulate this information through the display at the appropriate place in the hotels/restaurants.
