A majority of the respondents (54%) surveyed accept Narendra Modi’s view that demonetisation will root out black money in the country. This came out clearly in Karnataka (64%) where difficulties due to demonetisation seemed to pinch them the least. But it was also true of Telangana (50%) where criticism of the plan was strongest.
Similarly, all the sections of the economy included in this survey were optimistic that the offensive on black money will work. Retired people (59.9%) were the most enthusiastic, as well as unorganised sector workers (53.95%) and small traders (51.8%) who might have been expected to be skeptical about it.
However, support on this count is nowhere near the overwhelming assent given by voters on Narendra Modi’s app.
Reflecting the higher level of support for demonetisation in Odisha and Karnataka, unorganised sector respondents in the states were most positive about the black money angle. Some 77 per cent of the unorganised sector workers in Odisha and 56 per cent in Karnataka saw an overall benefit to the economy despite their own difficulties.