Imphal, November 19: Even though the State Govt has requisitioned more than 50 Govt vehicles for the Prime Minister's visit tomorrow, the authority has completely failed to look after the welfare of the drivers who have been forced to park their vehicles without any food or warm clothes since last night.

Talking to the media persons, the drivers complained that they had been made to park their vehicles at the premises of Bengali High School since last night.

They further said that the situation of the drivers is likely to worsen as the drivers would not be able to venture out for their basic needs due to the curfew imposed by the proscribed outfit RPF.

Coming down heavily on the State Govt for neglecting the welfare of the drivers, they said that the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards the drivers would only strain relations between the two.

Complaining that the authorities have refused to issue security pass to the vehicles as the vehicles have not been assigned their respective duties, the drivers said that they would not carry out their duties if the authorities fail to provide their security pass by early tomorrow morning.

Even as the drivers have been left to fend for themselves and face hunger and the biting cold, Chief Minister O Ibobi today said that necessary measures have been taken up to ensure the full participation of the people during the PM's visit.

Speaking to newsmen at Jiribam today, the Chief Minister said that despite the RPF imposing a 24 hour curfew to boycott the visit of the PM, the people are willing to meet him and added that buses and canters are being kept on the ready to ferry the people.

Necessary security arrangements have been taken up said the CM, and added that the people need not fear from venturing out of their house to welcome the Prime Minister.

The Chief Minister said that the earlier proposal that the Prime Minister lay the foundation stone of the Cultural Complex has been called off.

However there is no change in the plan of the Govt to go ahead with the complex, he added.

To a question why the proposal to lay the foundation stone of the Loktak Downstream during the PM's visit has been cancelled, the CM replied that there were some official works to be finalised first.

Stating that a Rs 500 crore employment generation programme will be taken up with central funding, the CM said that in the first phase, the Centre will release a sum of Rs 150 crores.

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