In a move aimed at curbing unfair trade practices in the hospitality sector, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory prohibiting hotels and restaurants from levying LPG charges, fuel surcharges, or similar costs separately from the menu price.
Key highlights of CCPA advisory on LPG charges:
-
Issued on 25 March 2026, the advisory clarifies that hotels and restaurants cannot levy additional fees such as LPG charges, gas surcharges, fuel cost recovery, or similar charges separately on customer bills by default.
-
The Authority has clarified that such practices constitute unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, in line with its mandate under Section 18 to safeguard consumer rights.
-
The advisory reinforces the CCPA Service Charge Guidelines dated 4 July 2022, clarifying that menu prices include both goods and services and that any additional default charge constitutes an unfair trade practice.
-
In particular, the advisory specifies that:
-
Hotels and restaurants must not levy LPG charges, gas surcharges, fuel recovery charges, or similar fees by default
-
The price displayed in the menu must represent the final price, exclusive only of applicable government taxes
-
All operational input costs, including fuel, electricity, or LPG, must be factored into menu pricing and not recovered through separate charges
-
-
Consumers are not obligated to pay such charges, as LPG, fuel, and electricity are basic operational costs, and their recovery through mandatory add-ons misleads consumers and circumvents service charge guidelines.
-
Where such charges are imposed, consumers may:
-
Request the restaurant or hotel to remove the charge from the bill
-
Lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (1915) or through the NCH mobile application
-
File a complaint via the e-Jagriti portal for speedy redressal
-
Submit a complaint to the concerned District Collector or directly to the CCPA through email.
-
The advisory emphasises the need for clear pricing and states that all operating costs should be included in the menu price instead of being charged separately. It also makes clear that following consumer protection rules is compulsory, regardless of business conditions.
[CCPA advisory on LPG charges, issued on 25-3-2026]
