New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- The central government has directed cab aggregators such as Uber, Ola to discontinue the option of tipping drivers before a ride is booked, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare on Wednesday, describing the practice as "misleading" and "unfair" to consumers.

Khare's remarks came a day after the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a Rs.10 lakh fine on ride-hailing platform Rapido over several alleged unfair business practices, including allowing customers to tip drivers in advance.

The CCPA is also looking into the business practices of Uber and Ola. Responding to questions about cab aggregators, Khare, who also heads the CCPA, said on Wednesday that the National Consumer Helpline had...