Advance tips to drivers: Consumer Protection Authority issues notice to Uber on app feature
Bengaluru: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued a notice on Wednesday to taxi booking app Uber regarding a feature where it prompts users booking rides to pay tips in advance to drivers.
In a post on his ‘X’ account, Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has expressed concern regarding the issue, saying it was unethical as well as exploitative of the agency to force or nudge users to tip the drivers in advance to ensure a faster service. He also clarified that the actions amounted to unfair trade practice, adding that a tip was given as a token of appreciation after the service rather than as a matter of right, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Joshi said that, taking cognizance of this, he had asked the CCPA to handle the matter, following which, the CCPA had issued a notice to Uber on Wednesday, demanding an explanation on the feature of advance tipping the drivers. The minister also stressed on the need to uphold fairness, transparency and accountability in all customer interactions.
While traditional tipping occurs after service and based on the quality of the service rendered to the customers, forward tipping is designated to incentivize the drivers to accept a ride by offering additional payment.
CCPA is known to have taken action against Uber following complaints by several users, who pointed out that the aggregators had been seeking ‘tips before trips’. The system was also found to be unchallenged by transport departments across states.
Urban mobility expert Satya Arikutharam has opined that, using the app feature, the customers were being forced often to pay tips only to book rides, adding that the system showed the drivers becoming unprofessional by accepting trips only if the consumers offered them tips.
Incidentally, Namma Yatri, the Bengaluru-based auto-hailing app that had been launched in November 2022, was among the first to introduce the advance tipping system in the ride-hailing ecosystem in India. The platform operates on a zero-commission model, where drivers keep 100 per cent of their base fares, and implemented tipping as an additional feature on its app. A year later, by late 2023, Rapido incorporated tipping into its service.
Uber was the latest ride-hailing firm to adopt this feature, having introduced advance tipping only last month. The app, however, introduced the post-service tipping globally back in 2017.
Sources have said that offering drivers tips upfront has become an industry norm with different names. Some platforms that did not pay 5 per cent GST claimed that they have a SaaS (Software as a Service) model and got drivers to earn more through tips. All members in the system, however, moved to this new model eventually, to avoid an unfair advantage, the sources added.
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CM Siddaramaiah warns of possible rainfall dip, stresses uninterrupted drinking water supply
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said there is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year and asked officials to ensure that drinking water supply is not affected.
The CM gave these instructions at a meeting of additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and secretaries of all departments held at Vidhana Soudha.
“There is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year. District in-charge secretaries should constantly monitor the drinking water situation in their districts. Meetings should be held with deputy commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers in this regard,” Siddaramaiah said.
“It is the responsibility of the respective secretaries to resolve the problems of the districts under their jurisdiction. Drinking water supply should not be affected for any reason,” his office quoted him as saying in a statement.
Pointing out that B R Ambedkar had warned against officials appeasing politicians, as it could lead to dictatorship, the CM asked officials to work within the framework of the law.
“Give suggestions to ministers within the scope of the law. Bringing a good name to the government depends on the work of the secretaries,” he said, adding that the administration should be made more agile.
Siddaramaiah said the role of departmental secretaries is crucial for the proper functioning of the state administration, as recognised in the Constitution. “It is the duty of all secretaries to act in accordance with the Constitution. They should not do anything against it,” he said.
Referring to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, Siddaramaiah said Patel had emphasised in the constituent assembly that secretaries should fearlessly and independently convey their views to ministers and not hesitate to speak the truth, even if it displeases them.
He urged senior officials to express their opinions fearlessly, independently, and truthfully.
The CM said implementing budget announcements is the responsibility of officials, noting that 15 announcements from last year’s budget are yet to be implemented. “Who is responsible for this?” he asked.
The government made a total of 565 announcements in this year’s budget, including 218 new ones, he said, adding, “It is the responsibility of officials to implement all budget announcements within the same year. They should not remain unimplemented for any reason. Bring any practical difficulties in implementation directly to my notice or that of the chief secretary.”
Out of the announcements in the 2026-27 budget, government orders have been issued for only five, he said.
“All government orders should be implemented, and execution should begin by May; otherwise, the respective secretaries will be held responsible.”
Siddaramaiah said delays in addressing public grievances could erode people’s trust in the government.
“This should not be allowed. Similarly, applications received under Sakala (a government initiative to guarantee services to citizens within a stipulated time) should be disposed of on time.”
Stating that immediate steps should be taken to fill vacant sanctioned posts, he said the finance department has approved the filling of 24,300 posts.
“There are 32,132 posts pending in cadres related to Kalyana Karnataka, and the recruitment process has not yet begun. The revision of cadre and recruitment rules is pending in some departments and should be completed at the earliest,” he said.
Under various centrally sponsored programmes, the state government released its share of Rs 22,768 crore in 2025–26, while the Centre released Rs 16,729 crore. Siddaramaiah said Rs 11,367 crore is still pending from the Centre.
He also directed officials to ensure that grants are utilised within the stipulated period.
Highlighting that contracts worth up to Rs 2 crore have been reserved for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe contractors, the chief minister said such reservations should not be bypassed by bundling works into larger packages.
“All works should be completed within the stipulated time. Construction costs should not escalate due to delays,” he added.
The chief minister also launched the new “Karnataka Progress Portal” and a handbook related to monitoring schemes, approvals, and inter-departmental coordination.
