Transport Minister Laxman Savadi speaking to presspersons in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI Deputy Chief Minister maintains that hiking it now will affect the public who are already suffering from effects of COVID-19 Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Transport Laxman Savadi made it clear that the State government will not hike bus fares, though fuel prices saw a considerable rise in recent times. “Considering the rise of fuel prices in recent times, State-owned transport corporations have submitted proposals for a hike in bus fares. But the government would not accept it. The people are already in distress thanks to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and natural calamities. Hiking the bus fares at the time of crisis will add to people’s woes,” he told mediapersons in Kalaburagi on Thursday.