You don’t have to pay service charge in any restaurant. It is optional now

If you are unhappy with the food or service at the restaurant and think paying service charge is unjustified, you don’t have to pay it now.

Yes, the Indian Government has made service charges at any restaurant optional now, saying restaurants billing 'service charges' in addition to taxes is optional and consumer has discretion to pay 'service charge' or not.

In its notification, the Department of Consumer Affairs has advised hotels and restaurants to disseminate information through display at the appropriate place in the hotels and restaurants.

The department took cognizance of a number of complaints, where consumers said hotels and restaurants followed the practice of charging "service charge" in the range of 5-20 per cent, 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.