3 Jodhpur private hospitals to offer discount on polling day

, April 2: Some private

in Jodhpur will offer five to fifty per cent

on charges to people who exercise their voting rights in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The benefit will be available in three private hospitals -- Jodhpur Dhanvantari Hospital, Preksha Hospital and Shri Ram Hospital -- in the city on April 17 (polling day) and 18.

More hospitals are likely to join the initiative. People have to show the indelible ink mark on their finger as proof of having cast their votes to avail of the discount. Sunil Chandak of Shri Ram Hospital, said, "The move was taken in order to motivate people to participate in the electoral process. I spoke to some other private hospitals. Some of them refused, but some of them liked the idea."

The move was taken to encourage people to take part in the election

Meanwhile, the Association of Medical Practitioners' of Jodhpur has decided to write to all private hospitals to join the initiative. "At a time when the Election Commission is putting in a slew of measures to increase participation of the people in the electoral process through its ambitious Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation, every citizen must play their role," said Association secretary Nagendra Sharma.

PTI