Bhopal Restaurant Fined ₹8,000 Over Charing GST ₹1 GST Over MPR on Water Bottle

The Consumer Forum has directed a Bhopal restaurant to pay ₹8,000 in compensation for illegally charging ₹1 as GST on a ₹20 water bottle, violating MRP norms.

In 2021, complainant Aishwarya was charged ₹29, including ₹1 GST, for a water bottle with an MRP of ₹20. The restaurant claimed the extra charge was for amenities like seating and air conditioning.

The Forum rejected this, holding that GST is already included in MRP for bottled water. The court termed the act a deficiency in service and ordered a ₹1 refund, ₹5,000 for mental agony, and ₹3,000 in legal costs.