<h1>New Guidelines Make Service Charges in Hotels and Restaurants Voluntary, Empowering Consumers to Decide Payment Amounts.</h1> The government has approved new guidelines making service charges on hotel and restaurant bills voluntary, allowing consumers to decide the amount they wish to pay. This move aims to relieve customers from mandatory charges ranging from 5-20% on food bills. The guidelines will be sent to states for implementation, and customers can file complaints if service charges are imposed mandatorily. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India argues that service charges are a legitimate global practice. The new Consumer Protection Bill is expected to empower authorities to take action against violations of these guidelines.