Kohima, April 16 (MExN) — The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory barring hotels and restaurants from adding extra fees such as “LPG charges”, “gas surcharge”, “fuel cost recovery” or similarly named levies, calling these practices unfair under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The Authority said such charges are being added by default to customer bills over and above menu prices and applicable taxes, based on complaints received through the National Consumer Helpline and media reports.
The CCPA referenced its earlier guidance of July 4, 2022, on service charges and clarified that the displayed price of food and beverages already covers the cost of goods and services. Any additional charge beyond the price shown on the menu, the advisory warns, amounts to an unfair trade practice under the Act. The State DIPR noted that operational costs-LPG, fuel, electricity and other inputs-are business expenses that must be factored into menu pricing rather than imposed separately on consumers.
The advisory said levying such costs under different labels appears to be an attempt to circumvent existing rules on service charges and undermines pricing transparency. It directed that no hotel or restaurant should automatically add these charges to bills; the price shown on the menu must be the final price payable by the consumer, excluding only legally applicable taxes. Establishments must not mislead or compel customers to pay non-voluntary fees.
Consumers who encounter such charges have been advised to request their removal from the bill and to lodge complaints with the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 or via its mobile app. Complaints can also be filed with the Consumer Commission through the e‑Jagriti portal, or raised with the District Collector, Deputy Commissioner, or directly with the CCPA. The advisory cautioned that failure to comply may invite action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/hotels-restaurants-barred-from-levying-gas-surcharge-and-similar-charges-ccpa
Category: Nagaland
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-04-16 23:14:00
