Service charges in restaurants optional now: Government

The government said that restaurant's billing service charge in addition to taxes is optional now and that the consumer has the discretion to pay these charges or not.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has asked state governments to advise hotels or restaurants to display information on their premises that the 'service charges' are discretionary/ voluntary and a consumer dissatisfied with the services can have it waived off.

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.