Consumers can also pay a tip separately to staff, instead of offering service charge.Restaurateurs and hoteliers have decided to legally examine the guidelines and give a representation to the government. In some cases, hoteliers are restraining customers from entering premises if they are not in ready to pay service charge. Many incidents were reported from bars in the suburbs, Navi Mumbai and Thane, after which some hoteliers restrained consumers from entering if they disagreed about payment. It is a separate transaction between customer and staff at the customer's discretion," explained a consumer activist. "It is only after the meal that the customer can assess quality of service and decide on tip or gratuity.

Source: Times of India April 21, 2017 18:38 UTC