Freebies for voters on polling day; various organisations announce incentives to increase voting in Pune

Pune: Various social organisations have taken the initiative to increase the percentage of voting during the State Assembly elections on November 20. They have announced freebies to voters participating in voting.

Representatives of the Pune Nagrik Manch, Credai, Art of Living, Pune Hoteliers Association, Pune Restaurateurs and Hoteliers Association, Petrol Dealers Association and Pune Zilha Gruhnirman Sanstha and Apartments Mahasangh addressed a press conference in this regard.

Pune Nagrik Manch’s Vishal Nalkare, Rohit Narha, Sameer Khare, Pune Zilha Gruhnirman Sanstha and Apartments Mahasangh’s Suhas Patwardhan, Petrol Dealers Association Pune President Dhruv Ruparel, Art of Living’s Rajey Shastare, Pune Restaurateurs and Hoteliers Association President Ganesh Shetty, Pune Hotel Association President Amitkumar Sharma, Credai President Ranjit Naiknavare put forth views of their respective organisations about voters’ awareness.

Vishal Nalkare said, “Pune is an important city in Maharashtra. In recent years, people have become apathetic towards voting. We will take a collective measure to change this situation. Senior citizens’ clubs, women’s associations, laughter clubs and housing societies have joined hands with us.”

Suhas Patwardhan said, “We are making efforts to increase voting by senior citizens in housing societies. We have named ‘Sahakar Mitra’ at the society level for this purpose. We are reaching out to voters through social media too.”

Dhruv Ruparel said, “We will distribute Rs 50 worth petrol for free on purchase of engine oil on November 20.”

Ganesh Shetty said, “We will give a 10-pc rebate on bills in our restaurants to those who will participate in the biggest celebration of democracy by casting their vote.”

These organisations will set up selfie points at various places on polling day. A war room will be ready and poster contests will be held at the housing society level. They have appealed to the Puneites to actively take part in the biggest festival of democracy.