Restaurants can't force consumers to pay service charge, it is voluntary payment

Payment of `service charge` is a voluntary act depending on the discretion of consumers and restaurants cannot force consumers to pay it, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has said. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has scheduled a meeting on 2nd June, 2022 with the National Restaurant Association of India to discuss the issues pertaining to Service Charge levied by restaurants.