LPG Charge on Food Bills Illegal: Govt Warns of Strict Action

Central government has declared LPG charge on food bills illegal and warned hotels and restaurants of strict action if they add extra fees such as ‘gas crisis charge’ or ‘fuel cost recovery’. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has ordered that all input costs must be built into menu prices, with only government taxes added separately.

Government Issues Strict Warning

The CCPA clarified that levying any separate operational charges on customers violates consumer rights. Restaurants can no longer pass on rising LPG costs through hidden fees after the menu price is fixed.

No Extra Charges Allowed

According to the order, hotels and restaurants must include every input cost – including fuel and gas – in the prices displayed on the menu. Customers should pay only the listed rate plus applicable taxes, sources indicated.

Menu Prices Must Reflect Costs

This directive comes amid the ongoing LPG crisis across the country. The authority noted that several establishments were trying to recover extra expenses by inventing new line items on bills, a practice now deemed illegal.

Viral Bengaluru Cafe Receipt

The trigger was a widely shared receipt from Theo Cafe in Bengaluru. A customer ordered two mint lemonades at ₹179 each, totalling ₹358. After a ₹7.90 discount, the cafe added a 5 per cent ‘gas crisis charge’ of ₹17.01 along with GST, pushing the final bill to ₹374.

Attempts to Bypass Service Charge Ban

CCPA investigations revealed that many outlets were using such charges to circumvent an earlier ban on compulsory service fees. Officials described the trend as a clear attempt to mislead customers and directed state-level monitoring teams to act swiftly.

Customer Complaint Options

If diners spot an LPG charge, fuel charge or any similar fee, they should first ask the management to remove it. In case of refusal, complaints can be filed through four routes: dialling the National Consumer Helpline at 1915, using the NCH mobile app, logging on to the e-Jagriti portal, or submitting a written complaint to the District Collector or CCPA.

Ensuring Fair Trade Practices

The move is expected to bring much-needed relief to consumers already grappling with inflation in daily essentials. Industry bodies have been advised to educate members about the new rules to avoid penalties. Officials said regular inspections would be carried out to ensure compliance.

This latest India news update reinforces the government’s commitment to transparent billing in the hospitality sector. With the LPG crisis showing no immediate signs of easing, the CCPA has made it clear that LPG charge on food bills will not be tolerated, protecting millions of diners from unfair practices.