The proposal to hike railway fare was approved in February by the then UPA Govt, according to Union Minister for Urban Development, M Venkaiah Naidu.
"The hike was also factored in the interim budget estimates but was not mentioned in his budget speech by the then minister, " Naidu said while addressing a press conference here on Sunday.
The hike was a 'necessary bitter pill ' to improve the health of railways, the union minister said.
The Congress had no right to criticise the NDA govt now, he claimed.
Referring to the recent row over a circular to promote use of Hindi, he said there was no attempt to impose use of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.
"Certain sections are trying to mislead people and malign Modi Govt," Naidu said.
On June 28-29, a workshop would be conducted in Surajkund for newly elected people's representatives, he added.