New Delhi, Dec. 22 -- Congress on Monday criticised the Union government over the increase in rail fares without any official announcement.

The party also demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the deplorable condition of the railways.

Addressing a press conference here today, senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar termed it a move that would increase the burden on the common people, saying that the Modi government never tire of giving "shocking" gifts to the public like inflation and fare hikes.

He noted that the government quietly increased the fares without any official announcement and informed the media about it through a circular only.

The Congress leader said that this is the second fare hike since the go...