The Central Consumer Protection Authority has barred hotels and restaurants from adding hidden gas charges, urging transparent billing and protecting consumer rights
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DIMAPUR — Diners may soon see cleaner, more transparent bills, with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stepping in against the growing practice of hotels and restaurants adding hidden charges like “LPG fees” and “fuel surcharges” to customer bills.
According to a DIPR update on Thursday, the consumer watchdog has issued a fresh advisory warning eateries and hospitality establishments against levying such extra charges over and above menu prices and applicable taxes, calling the practice “unfair” and a violation of consumer rights.
The move comes after multiple complaints flagged through the National Consumer Helpline and media reports revealed that several outlets were automatically adding charges such as “gas surcharge”, “fuel cost recovery”, and even “gas crisis fee” without customer consent.
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Citing its earlier 2022 guidelines on service charges, the authority stressed that the listed price of food and beverages already includes all operational costs, including cooking gas, fuel, electricity, and other inputs.
Adding these costs separately in the final bill, it stated, amounts to double charging and lacks transparency.
“Such practices are not only misleading but also an attempt to bypass existing rules,” the advisory added, warning that renaming these charges does not make them legitimate.
The directive explicitly stated that no hotel or restaurant should impose these additional charges by default or automatically.
According to the CCPA, if a bill includes these add-ons, customers can ask the establishment to remove them.
In case of refusal, complaints can be filed via the National Consumer Helpline (1915), its mobile app, or through the e-Jagriti portal. Consumers can also approach district authorities or report directly to the CCPA.