Delhi lags behind others in offering sops to 'inked finger'

Unlike some cities where the 'inked finger' will fetch voters discounts of up to 30 per cent at retail outlets like restaurants, apparel stores and movie theatres, authorities here are yet to come up with any such offer for the national capital going to polls in four days.
While election officials in Chandigarh and Burdwan (West Bengal) have joined hands with various shops to offer such sops to woo voters, Delhi so far has no plan in this regard.
When contacted, Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev said they are still working on a plan that will give incentives to young electors but did not elaborate what they will do in such a short span of time.

"Election Commission is working on giving incentives to the young voters. We will make an announcement soon," Dev told PTI.
Some outlets in Delhi, however, have taken individual initiatives on these lines.
"We are offering 10 per cent discount to voters who will show their 'inked fingers' on April 10, 11, 12 and 13 in our Delhi-NCR outlets," said Bikramjit Singh, marketing manager, Bikanervala.

The Federation of All India Petroleum Traders has also announced a 50-paise discount on every litre of petrol to voters in Delhi-NCR on election day.
ShopClues.Com CEO & Co-Founder Sanjay Sethi said, "Anyone who casts vote is entitled to a discount of Rs 100 on minimum purchase of Rs 500."

Chandigarh has already announced hefty discounts. The Chief Electoral Officer, Chandigarh, has tied up with 31 restaurants, three hotels, two confectioners and a salon and photo shop to woo voters. Some of the outlets include Park Inn, Yo China, Tress Lounge and Gopal Sweets.
"The restaurants will offer 30 per cent discount whereas confectioners and photo shops will give 10 per cent off," said Chandigarh Joint Chief Election Officer Tilak Raj.
Authorities in Burdwan have tied up with numerous shops. "We have 31 blocks and in each we have tied up with 100-200 shops," said District Election Officer Saumitra Mohan.

The offers will be available at various places, like apparel stores, cinemas and select hospitals.
"The discounts vary from 5 per cent to 15 per cent. We have asked shopowners to offer discounts on election day and also the next day," said Mohan.