Bengaluru, Nov. 4 -- Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashok on Wednesday criticised the state government's decision to increase transport fares, calling the hike illegal and alleging that the government had failed to clear dues worth over Rs 5,800 crore to the Transport Department.

Speaking to reporters, Ashok alleged that the government was shifting the financial burden of its failure to compensate the Transport Department onto the public.

"Price hikes in the Transport Department are illegal. Prices have been increased by 30 to 40%. Such a hike has never been seen before in the history of Karnataka. The Congress government and DK Shivakumar owe the Transport Department over Rs 5,800 crore. Consequently, the Finance Department has alrea...