Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 25: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has flagged the practice of hotels and restaurants adding extra fees such as “LPG charges,” “gas surcharge,” or “fuel cost recovery” to consumer bills, calling it an unfair trade practice, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said on Wednesday.

According to the authority, such charges are often applied by default to bypass existing service charge norms. The CCPA issued an advisory instructing that no mandatory fees of this kind should be levied, and violations could attract strict action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The advisory comes in response to complaints received through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) and media reports highlighting establishments that add these charges over and above menu prices and applicable taxes. The regulator emphasized that these practices lack transparency and impose unjustified costs on consumers.

“Input costs such as fuel, LPG, electricity, and other operational expenses are part of running a business and must be included in menu pricing,” the CCPA said. “Recovery of such costs through separate mandatory charges constitutes an unfair trade practice.”

The advisory clarified that menu prices should remain final, excluding only applicable taxes, and consumers should not be misled or compelled to pay any additional charges that are not voluntary. The CCPA reiterated that any automatic levy of such fees, regardless of name, violates guidelines issued on July 4, 2022.

The authority also stated it is closely monitoring these practices nationwide. Consumers facing such charges can request their removal or file complaints via the National Consumer Helpline (1915), its mobile app, the e-Jagriti portal, district authorities, or directly with the CCPA.