Karnataka wants hotels & restaurants to display service charge rule

Karnataka wants hotels & restaurants to display service charge rule

Hotels and restaurants in Karnataka will soon have to display boards saying 'service charge' is voluntary. They can't add the charge in their bills either.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader told a press conference on Tuesday the government was acting on guidelines issued recently by the Centre.

Service charge, a term used by restaurants for 'tips,' should remain voluntary, the Centre has said.
Khader said he would meet the hotel owners' association and issue a notification soon.

Hotels and restaurants cannot deny entry to consumers who refuse to pay service charge. Consumers who find violations can file complaints with the consumer courts, he said.