Grahakjago (S.K.Virmani)©

Poor dining service at Le Chef Restaurants in Sector 37 Faridabad viz-a-viz charging of service charges by Restaurants and Hotels Department of Consumer Affairs has brought out a press release advising Restaurants and Hotels not to charge service charge compulsorily into the food bill and waive off the same if the diners do not wish to pay. The ground realities seems to be different specially in view of various media reports. I have also stated in my various posts in this blog that the Restaurants have been adapting to unethical business practices in charging service charge compulsorily and also wrong charging of VAT on 100% value of the food bill. I have visited a restaurant in Sector 37 Faridabad named Le Chef. The restaurant were earlier charging service charge by clubbing with the VAT thus misleading the diners. A bill is given below: As can be seen above that Le Chef charged VAT at the rate of 28.13% in their bill No. 1010 dtd. 29/05/2015. Over and above an amount of Rs....

Weather Department of Consumer Affairs is serious enough to address the unethical business practices  of charging service charges and VAT by Restaurants and Hotels Industry?  I have written an article titled "Are Restaurants and Hotels adapting to unfair business practices?" on this blog on 21st April 2015, the link of which is http://skvirmani-jagograhak.blogspot.in/2015/04/are-restaurant-and-hotels-adapting-to.html The said article stated importance of making service charges being charged by Restaurants in the form of tip need to be made optional and let it be left to the option of the diners whether to pay it or not to pay. Department of Consumer Affairs, Govt. of India has recently issued a press release No.  156064 which appeared in newspapers on 2nd January 2017. A copy of the press release is copied here for ready reference. Department of Consumer Affairs have advised Restaurants and Hotel Industry to make service charge as optional and to waive off t...