- Tuesday, April 30, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
WITH the vaccination goal still some distance away and speculation growing over a possible third wave hitting the country, a number of Indian firms also have chipped in to encourage people to take the jab. And one of the strategies they have taken is by offering discounts on various items, ranging from fast food to flights.
While such a move is not unique as businesses in the West are also making similar offers to lure people out of vaccine hesitancy, India has faced a serious shortage of doses for its vast population of nearly 1.4 billion. The country has so far inoculated 309 million people while more than 30 million people have been affected.
Speaking about incentivising people to take the jab, Sanjay Kumar, a senior official of InterGlobe Aviation, which runs India’s biggest airline IndiGo, said in a statement, “We feel it is our responsibility to contribute to the national vaccination drive by encouraging more people.”
The airline said even those customers who have taken just one dose would get a discount of up to 10 per cent.
McDonald’s, Grofers, Godrej queue up for discounts
The Indian arm of fast-food giant McDonald’s is offering a 20 per cent discount on meals. SoftBank-backed grocer Grofers is also giving a month’s subscription to its loyalty program while home-appliance maker Godrej also extended its product warranties.
Banks have also made similar gestures. The state-run Central Bank of India Ltd is offering higher interest on deposits from recipients of at least a dose.
To claim the discounts, people have to produce their vaccination certificates issued by the government.
