Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today evaded a direct reply on the likelihood of further hike in train fares, saying everyone will have to wait till the budget is presented.

"I don’t know. I haven’t said anything so far," Bansal replied when asked whether more fare hike will be proposed in the upcoming railway budget.

"Whether there will be further hike or not, I have not said anything so far," he told reporters after inaugurating an exhibition of Khadi and Village Industries Commission here.

"Let the budget be presented, then you will come to know (about it)," the Chandigarh MP said responding to a question.

Commenting on media reports suggesting further hike in fares, he said "some things are being attributed to me. I had only said kindly wait for the railway budget."

"I am not indicating anything, kindly don’t draw any inferences. Whatever I will have to say from my side, I will present my views in the budget," Bansal said.

The recent hike in rail fares came into effect from January 22.

On how the Railways could help the Khadi industry, Bansal said "some things (related to the Khadi) are already there in coaches like blankets etc."

"We will discuss the matter in the Railway Board on what more can be done (in this regard)," he said.

On the occasion, veteran Gandhian and KVIC chairman Devendra Kumar R Desai said "khadi has changed with the passage of time to compete with other modern fabrics in the textile market."

"We have made innovations in Khadi, including colors and designs, to cater to younger generation. We believe that it is important to tap the youth as they form the majority of India's population at present," he said.

"In the 11th 5-year Plan, we’ve received Rs 4500 crore and achieved a growth of 10 per cent.

"In the 12th Plan, we hope to get an amount of Rs 11,800 crore to expand the khadi programme on a larger scale," Desai said.