Ravet hsg societies offer maintenance discounts to boost voter turnout

Pune: In an effort to increase voter turnout in the upcoming municipal elections, residents of housing societies in Pimpri Chinchwad have come up with an incentive by offering concessions on monthly maintenance charges to families that ensure all eligible members cast their votes. At least two housing societies in the Ravet area passed resolutions to implement this initiative in their general body meetings.Rahul Salunkhe, chairman of Legacy Fortune Exotica Cooperative Housing Society, said the decision was taken after the society recorded a low turnout in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections held last year. “We have around 200 voters across 83 flats in the B wing of the society. The proposal was discussed in the meeting and unanimously approved. Only if we vote in large numbers can we collectively raise our demands before candidates seeking votes,” Salunkhe said, adding that political parties tend to pay more attention to societies with a higher voter base.

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The society, which charges a monthly maintenance of Rs 4,200, will offer a 25% concession (Rs 1,000) to flat owners whose family members vote and share photographs showing the indelible ink mark on the society’s group.Sai Platina Cooperative Housing Society, located in the same area, also adopted the initiative. Chairman Amol Kalekar said the society, which has around 100 flats and charges a monthly maintenance of Rs 2,000, decided to offer a 50% concession (Rs 1,000) for one month to residents who ensured that all eligible family members exercised their right to vote.“Soon after we heard about this initiative, we decided to implement it in our society as well. The proposal was immediately approved by all members,” Kalekar said, adding that the move is aimed solely at increasing voter turnout.“We are not asking residents to vote for any particular candidate or party. The appeal is only to exercise their right to vote so that maximum people participate in the election process,” he said.Ravet is among the rapidly developing areas of the city and has a large population of migrant workers, particularly those employed in the IT sector, MIDC and corporate industries. Salunkhe said the society also launched a campaign four years ago to help residents who were registered as voters in their hometowns get their names transferred to Pimpri Chinchwad. “The response was very encouraging, and most residents shifted their voter registration to this area. Currently, over 90% of the residents living in our society are now voters registered in the same area they reside in, as per the election commission records,” he said.Graphic: With pic- Voting InkHeader: DISCOUNTS FOR DEMOCRACYVote & Save MoneyRavet housing societies offer maintenance fee discounts to families where all eligible members vote.Who’s Doing It?Two societies in Pimpri Chinchwad pass resolutions in general body meetings to boost turnout.The IncentivesLegacy Fortune Exotica society: Rs1,000 off on Rs4,200 maintenanceSai Platina Society: Rs1,000 off on Rs2,000 maintenance (one month)Why This Push?Low turnout in past elections; higher voting means greater bargaining power with candidatesPure intention Vote freely. No party preference, only participation encouraged