RTO Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 25: While the adequate facilities were put in place for the smooth conduct of elections, the drivers hired by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Srinagar here have alleged that they were not even provided the food and tea during the last four days.

At Chandpora polling booth set up in Gadood bagh locality of Habba Kadal, a number of drivers while talking to the news agency, alleged that for the last four days, they are ferrying the poll staff from one place to another as they were hired by the RTO directly.

However, they alleged that at least 15 drivers have not been provided the food and other eatables during the last four days, which has forced them to face tremendous hardships.

“We are with the poll staff for the last four days, but there has been no arrangement in place for the drivers. We have been pushed to the wall,” one of the drivers, wishing anonymity said, adding that the poll staff are being provided with the food stuff and other eatables, but the drivers are not even being provided the water, which is quite injustice and needs to be looked seriously.

“We have been hired but no facility is in place for us,” they said and appealed the concerned department to look into the matter and ensure that the drivers hired along with their vehicles should be taken care of in the third phase of polls and also for the day of counting as well.(KNO)