Businessmen of Patna have come out with a novel idea to create awareness about the voting rights of the people by offering gifts and discounts on purchases made by those who have cast their votes in the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections yesterday.
The scheme would continue for three to four days and is applicable only to those who participated in yesterday's voting, said Bunty Gupta, a cell phone seller.
The state witnessed a very low turnout in the fourth and final phase yesterday as only 37 per cent of a little over 48.92 electorate cast their votes in three parliamentary seats-- Nalanda, Pataliputra and Patna Saheb.
Priya Kataruka, owner of an apparel shop in a posh pocket here, said, "We were toying with the idea of doing something
for the election this year and came out with the idea of giving flat 10 per cent discount to people who have voted."
Another cell phone dealer Sujit Kumar said those who voted yesterday would get 10 per cent discount on the purchase of
mobile sets worth Rs 5000 and above and would also get gifts. The scheme will continue till May 11, he said.
A jewellery shop owner Pravesh Kumar Gupta said with a view to encouraging the voters' interest in elections, "We offer a 10 per cent discount to persons who voted on May 7 on making charge of ornaments and handsome gifts to purchasers."
A few eateries have also offered discounts.
