Chandigarh voters cash in on discounts

CHANDIGARH: It was bonanza time for voters in the city and Panchkula after they cast their vote. Many enjoyed discounts, which were promised to maximize the voting percentage, after showing their inked finger.
Several restaurants, shops, hair saloons and book shops, among others, offered discounts of 10% to 50%. While some offered rebate till April 11, others extended it by a day.
Vikas Goyal, a resident of Sector 4, Panchkula, and Amit Sharma, a resident of Sector 46, Chandigarh, said, "The steps that the city and Panchkula took to encourage voters are praiseworthy. We too voted and now we are enjoying a great lunch at 30% off."
Akanksha, a resident of Sector 34, went shopping in Sector 11 flaunting her inked finger. "I am quite happy that I exercised my right and now, I am enjoying its rewards."
The discounts were given in sectors 8, 9, 11, 17, 22 and 35, among others. In Sector 11, a gift shop offered a discount of 10% on all the stock, while there was a 20% off on goods encouraging voters, like a cup with the quote "Keep calm and keep voting".
An eating joint in Sector 22 offered 30% discount. Manmohan Singh, its owner, said, "The offer aimed at motivating residents to step out and vote." In Panchkula, theatres, restaurants and hair saloons too offered discounts, some as high as 50%. A theater in Sector 8 gave free popcorns and cold drinks to voters, while a hair saloon in Sector 20 gave a rebate of 50%.