Why is it necessary to get free water in the hotel? When you go to eat food in a hotel or restaurant, you do not just pay the price of food, but also pay the service of that place. Now think, if you do not get clean drinking water even after spending such an amount, then how far it is appropriate? This is not just an inconvenience, but a violation of your consumer rights. In the last few years, it has increased a lot that the hotels do not serve pure drinking water. Instead, they directly recommend bottled water – that too at additional fees. With this, not only the customer has to spend unnecessary, but it is also against the rules. In fact, it is the legal responsibility of every hotel and restaurant to provide clean drinking water to their customers for free. If they do not do this, then you can take appropriate steps against them. Why don’t the hotl free water? Profit or negligence? Now the question arises that why do not give water for free when it is their duty? The answer is – profit. The hotel gets a good margin on bottled water. A small bottle that costs Rs 20-30 is sold in the hotel for Rs 40-50. This increases their income, and the customer’s pocket is light. Apart from this, some hotels do not inform that free drinking water is available. They put bottled water on the menu card or table in advance, making the customer think that this is the option. This is a deliberate confusion. However, the hoteliers cannot say that they do not have pure water. It is mandatory for every hotel to provide facilities like RO, filter or water tank in its premises. If this is not done, it will be considered a serious negligence. The consumer’s rights: Know what the Consumer Protection Act has been implemented in the law -India to protect the rights of consumers. Under this, every customer has the right to be given safe, clean and necessary service. It also includes drinking water. According to the Consumer Protection Act 2019, service providers such as hotels or restaurants have to provide basic facilities to customers, of which clean water is the most prominent. If the hotel forbids you to give you free water and forcibly sells bottled water, then you can file a complaint against it. What is the meal? The customer should not get free drinking water for free, it cannot be compelled to buy a bottle of bottle. Forcibly sold bottled water – then there is no need to panic. You have many options where you can file your complaint. 1. National Consumer Helpline (Nch) Toll Free Number: 1800-11-4000SMS Service: Send ‘Comp’ on 8130009809 and send online complaint: Local Food Safety Department You can also file a complaint with your district’s Food Inspector or Food Safety Department. This leads to the local action at the hotel. 3. Consumer Court (District Consumer Forum) If you feel that your complaint is serious, and the hotel has deliberately violated your rights, then you can directly file a case in the Consumer Court. For this you need to keep a copy of the bill or receipt. If you are complaining, then while filling the form, fill all the details correctly and after submitting, note the complaint number. This will help you later tracking. Can hoteliers refuse to give a receipt? Often when customers buy bottled water, the hoteliers refuse to give the receipt or do not mention it in the receipt. This is a serious violation. According to the rules, it is mandatory for the hotel to give a receipt for every item or service, whether it is a food plate or just a water bottle. When the hotel refuses to give a receipt, it can be with two intentions – or they want to collect tax or they do not want customers to collect any evidence against them. But the customer should understand that it is his legal right to take the receipt. What to do? Demand the receipt before purchasing the bottle. If the receipt is not found, then threaten to register the complaint at the same time. Take the photo and share it with the name of the hotel. It is a valid document that can also be used as evidence in court. Sale of water: You have ever noticed the profitable deal for the hotel, whenever you sit in the hotel, the waiter brings bottled water without asking? It is not just service but a marketing strategy. The hotel gets a big profit on a small bottle. For example, the bottle that comes in bulk of Rs 10-12 is sold to the customer for Rs 40-50. Now if 100 customers are given bottles in a day, then it becomes a profit of thousands for the hotel. This is the reason why they do not give you water for free. Problems of waterlogged water: Not necessarily every customer wants to buy a bottle. Nobody can spend, especially middle class or students. Many times the expiry date of the bottle is not correct. So now is the time to become aware and ask the hotel. If every customer takes this step, the hotels will also be forced to follow the rules. Asking for free water in the police, not a shame, customers think that if they do not buy bottles and ask for free water, people will consider them poor or hoteliers will consider them to be inferior. But the reality is that it is your right to ask for free water, no favor. Our society is so entangled in showing that we try to impress others even at the cost of our rights. If you have filled the bill of food in the hotel, then it is your right to get water. How to increase confidence? Ask for free water with full confidence. Say clearly to the researcher: ” The next time he will not keep a bottle of water without asking the customer. Social Media: A new weapon of complaint has become the most powerful platform in the digital age of today. If a hotel does not give you free water or forced bottled water, then you can make them accountable by resorting to social media. On platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, you can not only get justice by raising your complaint on a large scale, but you can also make other customers aware. Suscient media is affected by the public. It is. Media House is also interested in such cases. Other customers also become alert. Tip: Post photos or videos with a hotel receipt, name and location and make it viral. Use hashtags such as #Freewaterinhotels or #Consumerrights. What is happening in the government and law? The government has now taken a more strict attitude towards consumer protection. New laws and rules confirm that the customer should get his basic facilities without any fee, especially like water. In many states, it has been directed that the system of RO water in the hotel should be mandatory. Apart from this, the government is running a social awareness campaign so that people can know about their rights. It is expected that these inappropriate behavior of the hotel will end in the coming time. Real change: Development of digital platform for necessary to mention free water to the monitoring of pure water in hotels.