The Swachh Bharat cess of 0.5% has resulted in a hike in Railway fares for all AC and first classes, effective Sunday.

A Railway Ministry circular said passenger fares of the tickets booked from 15 November will increase 4.35% for all upper classes of trains, PTI reported.

"Service tax of 14% and Swachh Bharat cess of 0.5% are chargeable on 30% total passenger fare equivalent on first class and all AC fares," said the circular.

The hike will not be applicable on general and sleeper-class tickets, and also on AC tickets booked before 15 November.

The hike is a result of imposition of the Swachh Bharat cess, through which the government aims to generate around Rs 10,000 crore each fiscal.

Twitterati have lashed out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government for "failing" to provide better facilities in the Railways and instead increasing fares.

In the process of condemning the BJP government on the increased fare, people on Twitter have praised former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav for introducing subsidised Gareeb Rath trains that are for poor people.

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