Approval ratings of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government have risen to the highest since the start of the pandemic though there’s lingering concerns over the surging prices of essential items and unemployment, the latest survey showed on Monday. 

Modi’s government has met or exceed expectations in the second term, according to 67 per cent of 64,000 people polled by LocalCircles. That’s a jump from 51 per cent last year when a brutal Covid-19 second wave infections overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums and 62 per cent in 2020 when the pandemic started. 

The people surveyed said the government was better prepared to handle a third wave of Covid-19 infections and had effectively managed the economy. Yet, there were concerns over unemployment staying around 7 per cent since the start of the year with 47 per cent of those polled saying India hasn’t been able to address the issue. 

However, there’s also been an increase in confidence in the government’s handling of joblessness with 37 per cent showing approval. That’s a rise from 27 per cent in 2021 and 29 per cent in 2020 where there were drastic lockdowns that saw migrant workers lose their jobs in cities though a rural jobs guarantee programme helped.

Taming inflation

The growing approval comes as retail inflation is tracking an eight-year high, a politically sensitive issue that has seen Modi’s government institute a series of measures to restrict exports of wheat and sugar and rein in any further price increases.

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The survey reflected the issue with 73 per cent of people saying the price of essential commodities and living costs haven’t fallen in the past three years, a key flash point for Modi who is seeking a third term in elections due in 2024. 

Here are some of the other findings from the survey, which was published as he completed eight years in office on May 30:

* 73% said they were optimistic about their future and that of their families in India.

* 44% were of the view the government didn’t take enough measures to improve air quality and reduce pollution.

* 60% of those surveyed said the government has been effective in improving communal harmony while 33% disagreed.

* More than 50% said doing business in India has become easier.

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