The initiative, valid for all those who cast their vote in the state for the Lok Sabha election, aimed to increase voter turnout. People of all ages, from youngsters to senior citizens, patiently waited in long queues outside Nisarga Grand Hotel, smiling and proudly displaying their inked fingers.
Karnataka’s Lok Sabha elections were divided into two phases, with 14 out of the 28 seats, including all four Bengaluru constituencies, going to polls on Friday morning.As of 11 am, the state recorded a voter turnout of 22.34 per cent.
Nisarga Grand Hotel on Nrupatunga Road offered voters free butter dosa, ghee rice, and a beverage on polling day. In Bellandur, Deck of Brews, a resto-pub, provided a complimentary mug of beer and discounts to voters who visited on April 27 and 28.
Prafulla Raya, the owner, told TOI, “We want to reward voters who have participated in the election and contributed to the nation’s development.”
SOCIAL, a chain of pubs, implemented a special initiative across its outlets by issuing bills with a message encouraging people to vote.
Guests who returned these bills after voting and showed their inked fingers received a 20% discount on their meal, valid for one week from the date of voting in their respective cities, according to Divya Aggarwal, chief growth officer at Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, which owns SOCIAL.
Rapido, a taxi aggregator, offered free auto and cab rides to differently abled and senior citizen voters in Bengaluru.