In a statement on Tuesday, Patel pointed out that the hike had come into force despite an announcement by the BJP in the past to reduce the fares. ``While on the one side, the Central Government has announced the reduction in diesel prices, the State government has decided to further burden the poor and middle class by hiking the bus fares,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Party councillors Ashwin Thakore, Harish Vaghela and Sankarrao Tandlekar criticised the delayed printing of the VMC's annual diary.

``Usually, the diary is supposed to be out in the market by the last week of December. However, this year there is no sign of it's release till date. Also, the price which has been decided for its sale will only push potential buyers from the general public to buy some other, affordable diary,'' they stated on Tuesday.