Odisha: SICA Appeals To Consumers Not To Pay Service Charges In Hotels & Restaurants

Bhubaneswar: As part of its awareness drive to protect the consumers from being cheated, the State Institute of Consumer Awareness (SICA) of Odisha government has appealed to them not to pay service charges in any hotel or restaurant.

In a release on Friday, the SICA under Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department has stated that the Odisha government has announced collection of service charges from the consumers by hostels and restaurants as illegal.

“If a consumer is asked to pay service taxes, he should refrain from making the payment and inform the SICA on toll-free number 1800-345-6760. The authorities would promptly address the issue and take appropriate action against the erring facility,” the institute said.

The SICA has also cautioned the people against sharing their UPI number with anybody and demand bills after purchasing any item from any shop.

Alerting the people about impure drinking water being sold in sealed bottles to cheat the consumers at some outlets, the consumers’ body advised them to purchase only water bottles having ISI mark.