Uttarakhand: Fuel pumps offer discounts to voters on polling day

NAINITAL: To encourage people in hilly and remote areas to vote in large numbers, the

Uttarakhand Petroleum Dealers Association

(

UPDA

) has announced a discount of 50 paise per litre on diesel and petrol on the polling day on April 11.


The discount will be available between 8am till the time of closure. People seeking discount on fuel have to show their inked finger. Moreover, the commuters will also be provided with refreshments and beverages.

“We have passed instructions to all petrol pumps in

Uttarakhand

and many have agreed, especially in the hilly and remote areas. The initiative is to encourage those people who live in remote areas and travel a long way to cast their vote,” Gopal Krishna Agarwal, president of UPDA said.

Praising the initiative, people in the hill areas applauded the move, saying the gesture of the petrol pump association is a sign of recognition and respect for them.

“This initiative is good and it will definitely make a difference. It’s not about the discount per se but it is a mark of recognition and respect to the voters who perform their duty,” said Ajay Singh Rawat, a Nainital-based activist.

Another resident Anoop Nautiyal, said, “I think this move is more about validating our belief in freedom and democracy. This is yet another example of our constructive thinking to build a better future.”

At present, over 350 petrol pumps are there in Uttarakhand out of which more than 65% are in hilly and remote areas.

Haridwar and Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar Lok Sabha seats come under the plain areas and Tehri, Pauri and Almora come under hill constituencies. Average voting percentage gap between hills and plains stood at 15% in 2014 general elections with hills having a lesser vote share.