Lockdown pushes 60.9% Indians to pay more for essential items

As many as 60.9 per cent Indians divulged that they are getting essential items at higher prices after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a total lockdown for three weeks to fight the coronavirus pandemic, one of the toughest such measures worldwide. The survey was conducted by IANS C-VOTER Gallup International Association Corona Tracker on March 26 and March 27 across the country.

New Delhi: As many as 60.9 per cent Indians divulged that they are getting essential items at higher prices pursuant to an unprecedented nation-wide shutdown, a survey revealed on Monday.

The net outcome came out in a survey conducted by IANS C-VOTER Gallup International Association Corona Tracker on March 26 and March 27 across the country.

In the poll, a question -- Are you getting essentials at a higher price now? -- was put forth before people. While 60.9 per cent agreed with the statement, 28.7 per cent disagreed with it and the rest chose not to answer.

A surge in prices can be attributed to panic-buying, which has led to a dearth of essential items, black marketing and disruption of the supply chain in the country.

Grocery items and medicines flew off the racks in the supermarkets barely few hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a lockdown for three weeks, starting from March 25.

The decision had taken people by surprise and led to mass hoarding of essential items.

India's death toll due to the novel coronavirus rose to 29 today with the total number of cases at 1,074.

(With inputs from AP and IANS)