An Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) study on the impact of lockdown on the marginalized households has found that that around 74% households reported “not earning regular incomes anymore” and 60% reporting that their current food supply would last “for less than a week”.
Carried out by Prof Ankur Sarin with a group of researchers, the study said that many expressed “anxiety about the future stability of their incomes”, with many households stating that “they won’t be able to make next month’s rent, phone bills, electricity bills, next installment of school fees.”
The study is based on interviews with around 500 households in Naroda Road, Shahpur Darwaza, Bapunagar, Old Vadaj, New Vadaj, Ambavadi, Amraivadi, Anandwadi, Gita Mandir, Sabarmati, Odhav, Vatva, Vastrapur, Ramdevnagar, Satellite, Ramol, Sarkhej, Kalupur, Behrampura, Maninagar, Indrapuri, Bhaipura, Motera, Shahi Baug, Vejalpur and Jamalpur. The respondents were enrolled on a WhatsApp group after taking their consent.
Carried out during the first 21 days of the lockdown, the study said, “Many have taken credit from their employers or neighbours to meet basic food related expenses”, adding, “Due to the sudden fall in incomes, most households were unable to procure vegetables, milk, washing powder, sanitary pads among other essentials (other than food).”