Saturday, 20 April 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Many cafes and restaurants in the city offered discounts to individuals who cast their votes in the Lok Sabha election on Friday. Owners of various restaurants and cafes stated that in an effort to increase voter turnout on polling day, they decided to offer discounts to individuals showing the indelible ink mark on their index finger. This initiative was well-received by the residents of Dehradun.
A significant increase in footfall was observed at cafes and restaurants on Friday due to the discounts. Additionally, online food delivery platforms also reported a rise in sales on the polling day.
“To increase voter turnout and raise social awareness about voting, I provided a 15 per cent discount on food bills to those who cast their vote on April 19. This was to raise awareness and also indirectly boost the café’s sales,” cafe owner Danie Bowen said.
Restaurant owner Avinash Rai said that as a responsible citizen, he felt it was his duty to motivate people in the city to vote. To encourage this, he offered a 19 per cent discount to voters at his restaurant. He said that if such initiatives are adopted nationwide, voter turnout will inevitably increase.
Several other cafes and restaurants were observed offering discounts on their food bills to individuals who voted on Friday. Local resident Ved Arora said that the initiative of such cafes and restaurants to encourage voting is commendable. He opined that the availability of discounts would serve as a motivation for people to cast their votes and take advantage of these benefits.
