Hotels, Restaurants Cannot Add Fuel Charges Separately, Says Consumer Authority
New Delhi, March 25, KNT: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory directing hotels and restaurants not to levy additional charges such as “LPG charges”, “gas surcharge” or similar costs on customer bills, terming such practices as unfair under consumer protection laws.
The advisory, issued on March 25, comes following complaints and reports that eateries were adding separate charges linked to fuel or operational costs over and above menu prices and applicable taxes.
The development is significant as it reinforces consumer rights and aims to curb hidden charges that may mislead customers or inflate final bills.
According to the advisory, the cost of inputs such as fuel, LPG and electricity should already be included in the pricing of food and beverages, and cannot be recovered through separate mandatory charges.
“Charging anything other than the stated menu price and applicable taxes would amount to an unfair trade practice,” the authority said, referring to provisions under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The CCPA further clarified that imposing such charges under different names, including “fuel cost recovery” or “gas crisis charge”, is an attempt to bypass existing guidelines on service charges and will be treated as a violation.
It directed that hotels and restaurants must ensure that the price displayed in the menu is the final price, excluding only applicable taxes, and that no additional compulsory charges are added automatically to bills.
The advisory also emphasised that consumers should not be misled or compelled to pay any extra charge that is not clearly part of the menu price or is not voluntary in nature.
Consumers who encounter such practices have been advised to raise the issue with the establishment, approach the National Consumer Helpline, or file complaints with consumer commissions or district authorities for redressal.
The directive has been circulated to all states and union territories, district collectors, and industry bodies including hotel and restaurant associations for compliance. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
![PCC Asks DC Pulwama to Shut Down Illegal Brick Kilns, 18 Brick Kilns Face Regulatory Violations, 7 Listed Without Consent Pulwama, Aug 8, KNT: Pollution Control Committee has asked Deputy Commissioner to shut down illegal brick kilns in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The latest status of brick kilns operating in south Kashmir's Pulwama district has revealed serious regulatory concerns, with 18 units listed either without consent, with expired Consent to Operate (CTO), or under a “Refused” status. The status details show that seven brick kilns are listed as operating “Without consent”, indicating that the units do not have the required regulatory consent to operate. The seven units are Dar Brick Kiln (415) at Alliepora Shahoora, LBK changed into Bhat Brick Kiln (151) at Nownagri Pulwama, Kamran Brick Kiln 777 at Parigam Newa, Budshah Brick Kiln at Audoora Pulwama, JKB Sanzan (151) at Astapora Sanzan, 417 Brick Kiln changed into 7HH at Achan Litter Pulwama, and Five Star Brick Kiln at Wahipora Pulwama. The list further shows eight brick kilns with expired CTOs, meaning their consent to operate has lapsed. These include Hilal Brick Kiln, Allie Brick Kiln, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Sunflower Brick Kiln, Jalal Brick Kiln, Magray Brick Kiln, Thoker Brick Kiln (A-No) and Shahoorа Brick Kiln (ATM). Another three units have been marked “Refused” in the consent status. These are Mir Brick Kiln at Hastikhud Zadoora Newa, Gulmour Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora and Dar Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora. The status as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also contains brick kilns holding valid CTOs, indicating that the regulatory violations are not uniform across the district. The findings assume significance in view of the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee's direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, to initiate action against brick kilns operating without the requisite permissions and in violation of environmental regulations. The presence of multiple units with expired or refused consent, besides those listed without consent altogether, raises serious questions over their continued operation and the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement in the district. The concerned authorities are now expected to verify the operational status of these units and take action against those found functioning without valid statutory consent. [KNT]](https://newsagencyknt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brick-Kiln-390x220.jpg)
