Consumers Can Waive Off Service Charge in Restaurants if Dissatisfied with Services: Government

Consumers Can Waive Off Service Charge in Restaurants if Dissatisfied with Services: Government The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on January 2, 2017 directed that Service charges billed by restaurants are optional and it is up to the customers to pay it. The decision comes after the department cited complaints that hotels and restaurants are levying an additional 5 to 20% in

bills in name of tips, regardless of the kind of service provided .The National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), an industry lobby group, has been directed by the Government to sensitize hotels and restaurants and advise them to display on their premises that service charges are discretionary/voluntary and can be waived if a consumer is dissatisfied with the services.