Imposing service charge unfair; people need not pay: Paswan
Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday said, "Imposing service charge is an unfair trade practice. The consumers need not pay." Suggesting that consumers should instead give the money to "poor waiters", he further stated that the price list in hotel menu cards should reflect all the costs, including the service charge. 
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said the service charge in food outlets is an unfair trade practice and suggested the consumers can instead pay that money to "poor waiters"."Service charge paid by consumers should be given to poor waiters," Paswan said. "Imposing service charge is an unfair trade practice. The consumers need not pay," the Consumers Affairs Minister said.Paswan demanded that price list in hotel menu cards should reflect all the costs, including the service charge.Also read | Don't like paying service charge in restaurants? You have an option now   Last week, the government said customers dissatisfied with service at any hotel or restaurant can opt to seek that service charge not be levied, as this is optional or discretionary as per the Consumer Protection Act.MAKE 'SERVICE CHARGE IS VOLUNTARY' NOTICE PUBLICThe Department of Consumer Affairs, in a statement, also asked state governments to advise hotels and restaurants to disseminate information, such as through displays, that "the service charges are discretionary or voluntary".The department said that it received complaints from consumers that many hotels and restaurants charged "service charge in the range of 5-20 per cent, in lieu of tips" and consumers were "forced to pay irrespective of the kind of service provided".Also read | In India, we cannot imagine food without adulteration, quips food minister Ram Vilas Paswan  