In a recent ruling, a Hyderabad restaurant has been ordered to pay Rs 5,000 in compensation for failing to provide complimentary drinking water to a customer. The incident sheds light on the contentious issue of restaurants charging for water bottles, sparking a debate among patrons.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-III in Hyderabad issued the verdict, mandating the restaurant to compensate the customer within 45 days. According to reports, the complainant, a resident of Secunderabad, recounted an incident at the ITLU restaurant in CBI colony. Despite requesting regular water due to a plastic allergy, the staff refused, forcing the customer to purchase a pricey 500ml water bottle priced at Rs 50.
The situation escalated with the inclusion of service charges and taxes on the bill. The restaurant levied service charges of Rs 31.50 and 5% CGST and SGST on the water bottle and service charge, totaling Rs 695 for two dishes and a water bottle.
The ruling demanded the restaurant to reimburse the service charge and GST, amounting to Rs 33, and refund the customer Rs 5,000 along with litigation costs of Rs 1,000 within 45 days. This decision aligns with the Telangana government’s mandate, requiring eateries to provide free purified water and bottled water at MRP to ensure accessibility and affordability for all customers. The commission cited legal precedents to denounce the practice of denying free water and imposing unreasonable charges by food outlets.
