New Delhi, December 31: On the New Year's eve 2019, the Indian Railways announced a fare hike across non-AC mail/express and AC passenger trains. The basic rates have been incremented by 2 paise per kilometre for non-air conditioned trains and 4 paise per kilometre for AC class fares. The new dates will come into effect from January 1, 2020. Railway Protection Force Renamed as Indian Railway Protection Force Service.

The tariff table was released on Tuesday by the Indian Railway Conference Association (IRCA). The list specifies class-wise hike in fares for ordinary non-AC, Mail/Express non-AC and AC Classes. Significantly, the IRCA has announced that the rate of suburban trains and season tickets have not been revised.

Check Full Fares Table Released by Railways

Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav had recently hinted that a hike in fares may be needed to revive the fiscal condition of the state-run body. The Opposition had protested against the Centre's intent to raise the commutation charges, with the Left Parties calling it a lethal blow on the middle and lower class which is already facing the brunt of economic slowdown.

"Higher fares for public and freight for industry. This imposes further miseries on people already groaning under the jackboots of economic recession. Modi cannot succeed by his divisive agendas," said the Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2019 07:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).