Chandigarh: The district consumer court forum, Chandigarh directed Chilis Bar and Grill Premier Restaurant to pay Rs 10,000 and refund extra service charge levied illegally. According to the complainant, although the restaurant mentioned on the menu that it would levy service charge at the rate of 10% on the billed amount, they charged service charge on items provided for free. These items were not mentioned in the bill but service charge was levied and added to the bill.
In his complaint, Dr Amandeep Singh Marwaha, a resident of Sector 46 said he, along with his guests, had dinner and beverages at the restaurant and a bill of Rs 1,834 was raised. This included service charge at the rate of 14.13%. The total amount mentioned on the bill was Rs 1,415. As per complainant, services charge @10% comes to Rs 141.50 ps whereas he was charged Rs 200.50 towards the same. Hence, he has been charged service charge at more than 10%.
In their written reply, restaurant authorities contended that the memo of the Chandigarh administration dated October 31, 2014 instructing restaurants and hotels in Chandigarh not to charge service charge from customers was withdrawn and superseded and it was within their right to charge service charge.
However, the main grievance of the complainant, Dr Amandeep Singh Marwaha was not that he was charged service charge but that the tax was levied at more than 10% since the restaurant stated on the menu card that only 10% service charge would be levied.