The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (MoCAFPD) on March 26, 2026, issued a notification regarding the advisory to prevent unfair trade practices relating to the levy of LPG charges.
The following has been stated:
It has issued an advisory prohibiting hotels and restaurants from automatically adding charges such as “LPG charges,” “gas surcharge,” or “fuel cost recovery” to customer bills. These practices are classified as unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as they lack transparency and impose unjustified costs on consumers.
The authority clarified that operational costs like fuel, LPG, and electricity must be included in menu prices rather than charged separately. Any such additional charges, regardless of naming, violate existing service charge guidelines.
Key directives include:
• No automatic or default levy of fuel-related charges
• Menu prices must be final, excluding only applicable taxes
• Consumers cannot be forced or misled into paying extra charges
Consumers facing such issues can request the removal of charges or file complaints via the National Consumer Helpline, e-Jagriti portal, or relevant authorities. The CCPA has warned of strict action against violations to protect consumer interests.
[Release ID: 2245074]
