A new survey suggests a growing sense of gloom has swept through India, with citizens fearing high prices and stubborn unemployment will darken prospects for the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
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More than 37 per cent of the respondents indicated they expected the overall quality of life for ordinary people to deteriorate over the next year, the highest percentage since 2013, according to findings released by polling agency C-Voter on Wednesday.
The survey, which polled 5,269 adults across India, was conducted in anticipation of India’s next annual budget, set to be announced on Saturday.
The results indicate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s continued struggles with overturning unemployment and high inflation despite the country’s fast-growing economy, analysts say.
These issues were central to last year’s election, which Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party won as part of a coalition, marking a loss of its outright majority that had defined its dominance since 2014.
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According to the pollster, nearly two thirds of the respondents said inflation had remained unchecked and that prices had gone up since Modi became prime minister. Over half said inflation had “adversely” affected their quality of life.