Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issues advisory to prevent unfair trade practices relating to levy of "LPG Charges" and similar charges in hotels and restaurants

India, March 25 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken serious note of hotels and restaurants levying additional charges such as "LPG charges", "gas surcharge" and "fuel cost recovery" in consumer bills, terming the practice an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Observing that such charges are being imposed by default to circumvent existing guidelines on service charges, the Authority has issued a fresh advisory under section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 directing that no such charges shall be levied automatically, and warned that violations may invite strict action.

The CCPA has observed, based on grievances received on the National...