Neta App, a technology platform that promotes civic engagement, conducted a survey to gauge the citizen attitude w.r.t the extension of the nationwide lockdown post May 03, 2020. Basis the findings of the survey, 68% citizens feel that lifting the lockdown will lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. Yet, only 54% of the respondents said they will support an extension in the lockdown.
The data indicates a clear class divide when it comes to attitude towards lockdown. The support for the lockdown was found to be the lowest amongst respondents from low income group while most of the respondents from the middle and high-income groups want the lockdown to continue. Almost 72% respondents from low income group want the lockdown to be lifted while more than 60% respondents from both the middle and higher-income groups want the lockdown to continue. This indicates that, as feared, the pandemic is affecting the lower income group the worst who despite knowing that it will lead to a surge in COVID 19 cases, now wants to go back to work. On the other hand, the middle and higher-income groups continue to prefer their safety of their homes over work and strongly vouch for the lockdown to continue.
When it comes to cities, the most support for extension was found across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Indore, which have been worst hit by the pandemic. On the other hand, the cities that vouched for the lockdown to be lifted included the likes of Kanpur, Shimla, Agartala, Hyderabad, Raipur and Bengaluru, most of which are not extensively affected by COVID 19. Over 22,000 people participated in the survey conducted by Neta App across 20 cities between April 30 to April 31, 2020.
With just 2 days left for the lockdown to be lifted, the nation is still in a dilemma if there would be a lockdown 3.0. While, Punjab has already announced an extension, others still await a final word from the central government. In India, the total count of cases stands upwards of 35,000 till date and counting.
About Neta App
Founded by Pratham Mittal in 2018, Neta App is a technology platform that aims to foster political accountability by enabling citizens to signal a change in their political preferences at any point in time. The app enables citizens to vote for their favourite leaders and then change their vote on the app as and when their preferences change. Modelled on the Approval Ratings in the US, the company aims to make the app a barometer of the political climate in the country.
The app acts as the single point scorecard that displays results collected across all these mediums. The app also enables people to share their opinion and conduct polls on matters of national and local importance.
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